The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation held a meeting of the Expert Council on the definition of National tourist routes (NTM). As a result of the meeting, three routes received honorary status, one of them – “Energy of Ladoga”, an interregional tour of the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Karelia.
WHAT TOURISTS WILL SEE AND TRY ON THE ROUTE “ENERGY OF LADOGA”
The 1000 km route runs around the largest lake in Europe – Ladoga, where the “Road of Life” and “The Way from the Varangians to the Greeks” took place. Today, every traveler can go to the shores of Lake Ladoga in search of new experiences and emotions.
The tour locations provide an opportunity to touch the culture of the northern peoples with their philosophy, authentic gastronomy and nature. These are iconic historical and natural attractions of the Leningrad Region and the Republic of Karelia: Ladoga Skerries, a retro train trip to the Ruskeala Mountain Park, Korela Fortress, Waterfall Valley, Gustav Winter Manor Museum, Olonets National Museum, Holy Trinity Alexander Svir Monastery, Staroladoga Fortress and the automuseum of the sports and tourism cluster “Igor”/”Igora Drive”, which presents a collection of retro cars.
Tourists will taste the authentic cuisine of the region and the specialties of northern cuisine: wild mushrooms and berries, Ladoga trout and Karelian rye pies “kalitki”. The hotels “Dot on the Map” in Priozersk, Sortavala and Lodeynoye Pole, the Winter Cottage Park Hotel have been selected for accommodation.
“The leitmotif of the journey: after each wave comes a calm, after the excitement – a healing silence. Ladoga, which has been the driver of the region’s development for many centuries, becomes a source of energy for the traveler, a place where you can “recharge” your internal battery. History is reborn into new meanings here, and ideas turn into plans,” explain the organizers, the tour operator “Igora Tour”.
The cost of the winter program starts from 58,900 rubles per person, the summer program starts from 62,900 rubles per person. The schedule of group arrivals for the winter season has been formed: you can go on an exciting trip around Ladoga in October and December 2024, and on an individual tour at any time.
THE LADOGA ENERGY ROUTE WAS DEVELOPED IN 2021
The Ladoga Energy route appeared in 2021 as part of the All-Russian competition for the design of conceptual routes “Open Your Russia”, organized by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and the Russian government.
The rules for determining NTMs entered into force on July 1, 2022. This status is given to the most important routes for the country, which are of particular importance for the development of domestic and inbound tourism, and also meet the needs of a modern tourist.
Among the criteria are the prospects of the route (it should contribute to the growth of tourist traffic by at least 25% per year), recognition, consistency (various representatives of the region’s business should take part in the development – hotels, cafes and restaurants, carriers, tour operators, etc.). In addition, there should be at least one significant Attraction: UNESCO-listed sites, historical and cultural monuments of federal significance, natural sites in specially protected areas, monuments of Russian architecture, places associated with the most important events of Russian history or the lives of prominent people.
Before receiving the status of “national”, each of the routes is evaluated by the Expert Council on National Tourist Routes under the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation together with regions and business representatives. The Expert Council evaluates the standards according to a wide range of criteria, including the classification of accommodation facilities, the availability of navigation, transport safety, road quality and much more.
Currently, there are 56 national tourist routes in Russia.
