KALUGA, December 18, RIA Novosti - More than 100,000 tourists visited Russia's Kaluga Region in 2007, around 5% of them foreigners, a source in the local economic development ministry has told RIA Novosti.
The Kaluga Region is located in central European Russia, 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Moscow. When developing tourist programs, the local government and private sector companies emphasize environmental tourism, which is only natural since Kaluga is one of the least polluted areas of central Russia. It also boasts a convenient geographic location. It has rivers with crystal clear water, picturesque landscapes and a large number of natural, historic and cultural sights.
The 100,000 hectare Ugra National Park, stretching along the rivers Ugra and Zhizdra, has over 20 architectural monuments and 130 archaeological sites, including medieval settlements and sites of important historic events.
The national park offers boat trips along the Ugra River to see the places where one of the final events of the 13th-15th century Tatar Mongol Invasion took place - the Great Standing on the Ugra River put an end to the Tatar-Mongol dominance. Remains of the grand defense structures used during World War II are still there to be seen.
Until recently, the flow of tourists to the regions was limited by a shortage of hotels and a low standard of services. Special regional programs to attract investment in the tourist industry are aimed at reducing the inconvenience for travelers.
Several hotels will soon be built in Kaluga, most of them three-star ones. Also, bungalows for guests will be built in the national park, which will also offer comfortable camping sites for hikers and boaters. Another program envisages the creation of special parks for hunting and fishing, the first of them, safari park Stayer, is already operating.
