The Carried Out(Spent) Analysis of the Received Data Testifies

CONCEPT OF WATER AND ECO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AT THE RUSSIAN AREA OF PEIPUS / PSKOV LAKELAND

NGO “Chudskoye Project”

PSKOV 2005

CONTENTS

PART I. Analysis of water and ecological tourism at the Russian area of Peipus / Pskov lake basin ...... 2 Section 1. General provisions ...... 2 Section 2. An ecological situation at water reservoirs of fish management use ...... 5 Section 3. Flora and fauna ...... 6 Section 4. Protected territories ...... 9 Section 5. Analysis of the Resolution # 172 «Border zone in Gdov, Pskov, Pechory, Palkino, Pytalovo, Krasnogorodsk, Sebezh municipalities of the Pskov region» and the Resolution # 177 «Border zone in Leningrad region» ...... 15 Section 6. Cultural and historical sites...... 17 Section 7. Tourism infrastructure. Pskov, Gdov, Pechory municipalities (Pskov region), Kingissepp, Slantsy municipalities and Ivangorod town (Leningrad region) ...... 19 Section 8. Analysis of tourist visits in Peipus/Pskov lake area...... 21 Section 9. Water transport...... 27 Section 10. Calendar of events ...... 29 Section 11. The conditions of sports and amateur fishery...... 30

PART II. Concept provisions for eco tourism development ...... 32 Section 1. General provisions ...... 32 Section 2. Kinds of eco tourism...... 35

Principles of ecotourism for the elaboration at Peipus/Pskov Lakeland...... 39

PART III. Strategy of eco tourism development ...... 41 Section 1. The main idea of strategy for ecotourism development...... 41 Section 2. The purposes and objectives of strategy of ecological tourism development...... 42 Section 3. Strategic directions of activity for ecotourism development...... 43

CONCLUSION ...... 51

Recommended prime actions on the elaboration of ecological tourism in Peipus / Pskov lakeland for the period of 2005-2008 ...... 52

Literature ...... 54

PART I. ANALYSIS OF WATER AND ECOLOGICAL TOURISM AT THE RUSSIAN AREA OF PEIPUS / PSKOV LAKE BASIN

Section 1. General provisions

The Peipus/Pskov lake is situated on the border of Russia and Estonia. Lake Peipus flows into Gulf of Finland through Narva river (77 km). The total water surface area is 47.800 sq. km (including the lake area) The Peipus/Pskov lake comprises 3 parts: the northern part – lake Peipus itself (2.613 sq. km, average depth 8,3 m), the southern – Pskov lake (709 sq. km, average depth 3,8 m), and the linking bay – Teploye lake (170 sq. km, average depth 2,5 m)

Most widespread fish species in the lake are pikeperch, bream, pike, burbot, perch, roach, ruff, crucian and others. Lake white fish is characteristic only for the Peipus lake. The basic spawning places of bream, pike, roach are located at mouths of rivers, flowing into the Lake as well as in Raskopel’, Kulya, Zhelcha and other bays.

High level of eutrophy provides high fish productivity. The shoreline is smooth. There are only a few bays in the northern part of the coastline. The largest bays in the southern part of Peipus lake are Raskopelsky, Zalakhtovsky; in Teploye lake it is Zhelcha bay; in Pskov lake – Kulya bay. The shoreline length is 520 km in total. Peipus lake shoreline is 260 кm long, Pskov lake shoreline is 177 km long, Teploye lake – 83 km. The banks are mainly low, peat- based. Narrow sand stripes, overgrown by pines, stretch along the eastern shore of Peipus lake. The relief of the eastern shoreline of Peipus lake, between rivers Chernaya and Lochkino and in low part of Zhelcha river, combine hills and ridges. 30 islands are located in the Peipus/Pskov lakes. Talabsk, Belov, Kamenka, Kolpino are the largest islands in the Pskov region.

Usually the lake surface gets frozen at the end of November or beginning of December and recovers from ice in April. The most favorable climate is in the Pskov region. This fact is due to closeness of the Baltic Sea and the size Peipus/Pskov lake. Summer is moderately warm and wet, winter is comparatively mild.

Bogs occupy large areas (approx. 45 thousand hectares). There are several large bogs that occupy more than 5 thousand hectares each.

The soils on the most part of the lake land are quite poor. Sand soils and peat sand soils prevail in the forests. Bog peat soils are quite common too.

30 rivers flow into the lake and one river flows out. The major rivers are Narva and Velikaya. Other minor rivers are: • Zhelcha • Chernaya • Obdekh • Tolba • Abizha • Cherma • Robya • Pimzha

Zhelcha and Chernaya are the cleanest rivers. Zhelcha river runs through thinly populated woodlands in Gdov district. It is more than 70 km long. In its upper section the river is very curvy. It runs among low banks covered with willow, birch and pine trees. The water is very clean. There are a lot of suitable places for camping / picnic stops at the river banks. After it flows out of Veleno lake, the river becomes very twisty, in some parts 10-20m wide. At the Veleno lake there is a tourist recreation base. Camping at lakes Uzhimskoye, Dolgoye, Veleno is very popular among visitors from the Pskov region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. In the summer period about 50 small camps are set up along the river banks, their number amounts approximately 500 tourists.

Chernaya river runs through thinly populated woodlands in Pskov district of the Pskov region. The river is more than 50 km long. It is very curvy too. The water is clean; the banks are suitable for camps. It flows into the Pskov lake. Its width is 10-20m. A number of fishermen houses and a boat mooring can be found at the mouth of Chernaya river.

The Velikaya river, flowing over the territory of the Pskov region, is the biggest river of the Peipus/Pskov lake basin. The river starts at the Bezhanitskaya upland area and flows into the Pskov lake. It forms river delta, which consists of 40 islands. The length of the river is 430 km. Water volume in the river mouth is 127 m³/sec or 4 km³/year. The

river is navigable in total of 5% of its length or 20 km up from the river mouth. Basin area of the Velikaya river is 25200 sq.km. The river is ice covered for the period of 4½ months. Down from the Ostrov town the Vlikaya river is leveled with rapids. The basic confluents to the river are rivers Issa, Sinyaya, Utroya, Sorrot, Cherekha, Pskova.

Canoeing, fishing, mushrooms / berries picking up, bathing in rivers and lakes – the list of activities is far from complete. Narva river runs through Leningrad region (Slantsy, Kingissepp municipalities, Ivangorod town). Near Ivangorod town the river is split by a dam that forms Narva Water Reservoir (rus. Narvskoye vodokhranilishche). The middle part of the river is only the Narva Water Reservoir, the only one in the Lakeland. The dam was constructed for Narva power station. It was filled in 1955-1956. The dam weekly regulates the water level thus the altitude of the surface fluctuates up to 0,5 m. The water surface of the water reservoir is 191 sq.km, average depth – 1,9 m, maximum depth – 15 m, water volume – 0,363 km³. The area of Russian part of the waters is 79% (151 sq.km), Estonian part – 21% (40 sq.km). Maximum length (from north to south) – 25 km, maximum width (from west to east) – 30 km, average width – 4 km, the length of the highly curvy coast line is – 206 km. The biggest rivers flowing into the Narva reservoir are the Narva river (Estonia, Russia), the Plyussa river (Russia); The Narva river also flows out of the water reservoir. The reservoir is divided into the four parts – Narvsky, Plyussky, Pyantitsky bays and the area of the Narva river inflow that has no name. The Narva reservoir includes a lot small lowland islands which are covered with forests. Most of the islands are located in the southern part of the reservoir.

Section 2. An ecological situation at water reservoirs of fish management use

Indicators of water color and transparency may vary when moving from Pskov lake to Peipus lake. Pskov lake transparency vary from 1m to 1,6m, in Peipus lake from 1,7m to 3,2m. Chromaticity in Pskov lake 42-50 degrees, in Peipus lake 24-28 degrees.

The chemical compound of water is basically determined by structure of waters in the Velikaya river (Russia) and Emajõgi river (Estonia) that carry calcium carbon waters. A range of general mineralization in Pskov lake 124-388 mg/liter, in Peipus lake - 159-293 mg/liter.

Economic activities affect the amount of mineral compounds nitrogen and phosphorus in the water. At the end of 1980s - beginning of 1990s there was an excessive emission of compounds of anthropogenous origin. It related to intensive economic activities in the earlier decades of the 20th century. In that period it was the reason for increase of easily oxidized organic compounds and other biogenic elements and. As a consequence, the general level of eutrophy increased in Peipus/Pskov lakes. In the later period the economic activities decrease has resulted into reduction of biogenic impact on the water reservoirs and decrease of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in the water. The highest concentration of biogenic fragments is usually registered in the period of summer stagnation. It may result into unfavorable conditions for young generation of fishes and small-sized kinds of fishes.

Due to decrease biogenic inflow the chemical structure of water improved. However, present-day low levels may be affected by allocation of biogenic elements from the bottom seams that have been piling up during previous years.

Biogenic pollution in Peipus/Pskov lake is basically determined by drains from the agricultural soils. The major city-polluters of Peipus/Pskov lake at the Russian side are Pskov, Ostrov, Gdov and Pechory.

The most intensive anthropogenous pollution is in the Gdovka river, that affects much its chemical compound. The second most polluted river is Velikaya, which contains high concentration of sulfates, chlorides and biogenic elements.

The cleanest rivers, having original chemical structure, are Chernaya river and Zhelcha river.

The high level of eutrophy in Pskov lake provides its high fish productiveness.

Section 3. Flora and fauna

Swamps and forests cover the major part of the shore territory. Pine forests prevail there. Fir tree forests now can be found only in few areas. Most widespread trees in fir forests are birch, asp, pit, buckthorn; grass plants are represented by bilberry, fox berry, fern, etc.

Mixed leaf- and pine forests occupy minor areas, usually along riverbanks. Lime, elm, maple, ash dominate in leaf forests. Swamps occupy a vast territory. They consist both open “deserted” areas and areas covered with pines. Valuable berry species, such as cranberry, bog whortleberry and cloudberry, grow in the lowest bush / grass layer of forests.

Meadows occupy a small percentage of the area and are usually located at forest edges, at lakeshores or close to areas inhabited by men. Coast line of large lakes is overgrown by reed, lake rush, reed mace and others. The coasts of rivers and small lakes are overgrown by reed, yellow iris and other plants.

Peipus/Pskov lake is a natural habitat for 35 fish species: lake white fish, nine-spined stickleback, pikeperch, bream, pike, etc. Salmon was observed to enter Narva river. 24 fish species inhabit small lakes. The most diverse fauna is in Zhelcha river (29 species) and Chernaya river (24 species). In fast-flowing rivers one could see grayling – a rare fish specie for north-west Russia. Roach, perch, ide, gold crucian, gudgeon and eel are fairly common for small lakes, rivers and creeks.

36 water bird species are registered in Peipus Lakeland area (Peipus/Pskov/Teploye lakes, small lakes, rivers and creeks): swans, cormorants, geese, ducks and others. 17 species have been observed during the nesting, 12 species can be found only during the migration period: whooper swan, tundra swan, grey goose, etc.

About 50 bird species inhabit bogs, wet meadows and lakeshores: grey crane, seagulls, various sandpipers, black terns, predatory birds and sparrow-kind birds. Sparrows, woodpeckers, hens, sandpipers, pigeons, predatory birds and others are numerous in the forests.

Bird species, inhabiting rural areas and villages, are presented by white stork, pigeon and numerous sparrow species.

31 mammals have been specified in the area: elk, bear, wild boar, deer, mink, beaver, fox and others.

The research shows that 69 rare plant species, growing in the area, are included in the Red Books of Russian Federation and Estonian Republic (25). The Red Book of Russia (2001) includes 2 species of lamprey, 1 fish specie, 25 birds and 2 mammals.

Numerous fowl species, included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, nest in the area: • european loon (Beloye lake, Osinovskoye lake) • white-tailed eagle (surroundings of village Ostrov) • ospreys (lakes Beloye, Zaychik, Turenskoye, Osinovskoye; villages Glush, Kozlovo)

• large curlew (bogs; lakes Beloye, Zaychik, Turenskoye, Osinovskoye; river Berezovka; village Lug)

… as well as rare species: • white-forehead goose (surroundings of village Lipno) • black-tailed godwit (bog Chisty Mokh, surroundings of village Chudskaya Radunitsa) • white-winged tern (Chernaya river mouth, surroundings of village Remda) • white-back woodpecker (surroundings of village Pnevo) • small gull (nests along Teploye lake and Pskov lake shorelines)

White stork might be seen almost in all villages, surrounded by fields. Last 10 years Mute Swan nests around villages Pnevo, Putkovo, Chomutovo, Chudskaya Rudnitsa, island Sigovets. During the nesting period there have been found some fowl species with typical signs of breeding and feeding behavior. Those species are included in the Red Book of Russia (2001): • large spotted eagle (villages Remda and Veterya) • black stork (villages Lug, Glush) • sandpiper-magpie (islands of the Velikya river delta) • gold plover (village Chudskaya Rudnitsa) • grey shrike (villages Kozlovo Pnevo; bog Chisty Moch)

…as well as rare species: • field hen-harrier (villages Kazakovets and Molgovo) • meadow hen-harrier (bogs Vorota, Chisty Moch, Borovik; villages Dub-Bor, etc.) • corncrake (villages Borovik, Kobyl’ye Gorodische, Kozlovo, Pnevo, Samolva, etc.)

Predatory birds represent a separate group during autumn migration period. They are represented by 27 species: goshawk, sparrow hawk, swamp and meadow hen-harrier, great grey owl, little owl.

The main migration route of water birds follows the eastern coast of Peipus, Teploye and Pskov lakes southwards to delta of the Velikaya river. A part of migrants flies to the west in Teploye lake area. In water areas of Pskov and Teploye lakes waterfowls halt, rest and feed. Numerous inner lakes also provide favorable conditions for that.

Shallow Peipus/Pskov lake – with diverse bottom fauna and plenty of mollusks – is extremely favorable for feeding and rest of ducks. The most densely inhabited by ducks areas are shore sections at bays Samolvovsky, Putkovsky and Khomutovsky, the bay between Yablonka and Kuroksha, also south-westwards of Mtezh peninsula in Pskov lake. During migration period one could watch thousands of various duck species. Their number varies from hundreds at the beginning of autumn migration period up to tens of thousands at its peak period.

Annually during the autumn migration period, usually in November, the tundra swans and whooper swans halt at Peipus/Pskov lake to rest. Those flocks number from tens to hundreds of birds and they stay for several days. On the eastern coast of the lake one could observe thousands of birds. The highest bird density is in Remdovsky reserve near Teploye lake.

The main flow of migrants crosses the areas of Teploye lake, also villages Pnevo and Osotno and then flies further to Estonia.

Malskaya valley (Izborsko-Malskaya valley) is located in the Pechory municipality of the Pskov region at the territory of the State museum-reserve “Izborsk”. The width of the valley is 800 m, depth – 40-50 m. The flat bottom of the valley contains upper flood-lands and flood-lands themselves, as well as the Malskoye lake and the Gorodishchenskoye lake. The Malskoye lake is bigger and deeper than the Gorodishchenskoye lake. In terms of amateur fishing the Malskoye lake is perch type, whereas the Gorodishchenskoye lake is pike type.

Diverse relief and landscape complexes, which are often contrasting to the neighboring areas, precondition a wide variety of flora and fauna. Such diversity is also due to the fact that the valley is located in the border territory of taiga zone and mixed forests. The usual species of flora and fauna typical for such zones are neighboring with rare, low numbered species under protection.

At first glance the landscapes of the Malskaya valley are of field and forest type. In fact the major part of the valley is covered with forest although the forests are spotted in island-like territories. Mixed forests and small-leaf forests here and there turn into taiga type pine-tree forests. In certain location the forests turn into dark fir-tree woodlands. This is the reason why the flora and fauna of taiga zones and mixed forests zones are in a unique cohesion there. The population of migrating birds is of a special interest, it numbers up to 130 species. As far as the Malskaya valley is location right on the way of migrating birds flying southwards from Northern and North-eastern Europe and back, the birds are being attracted by diverse landscapes. They halt and feed there.

A great deal of rivers, creeks and lakes contain rich plant fodder. Lots of rodents – such as water vole and beaver – feed on the banks of the waters. Beaver dams and canals, as well as fallen trees, are indicated nowadays very close to Izborsk settlement. On a kilometer’s distance of the ditch several beaver dams cross the creek flowing on the bottom. The fresh snow shows the imprints of the beavers.

Forests, meadows and bogs contain almost a half of 160 plant species under protection in the Pskov region. Out of 17 rare orchids in the area, 4 of them are included in the Red Book of Russia.

Section 4. Protected territories

Natural territories under protection are plots of land, water surface and are space over them, containing natural complexes and objects of scientific, cultural, esthetic, recreational and eco protection significance; the areas are partially of totally excluded from the economic use by the legislation acts of the authorities; the territories are exercising a special protection regime.

Russian legislation concerning the territories under protection is based on respective articles of the Russian Constitution, the Federal Law #33 dated 14.03.1995 and other legislation acts of Russia and the Russian regions.

The territories are subdivided into the following types depending on the regime and status of the territories under protection: a) federal natural reserves, including biosphere ones b) national parks c) natural parks d) federal natural protected territories e) natural sites f) dendrological parks and botanic parks g) spa locations

The Resolution of the Government of Russian Federation # 1050 dated 13.09.1994 «Implementation the Convention on water/swamp areas of international significance as natural habitat for water fowls» has included the Peipus/Pskov lowland in the list of protected areas.

The area occupies 92,4 thousand hectares and comprises protected territories of federal and regional level. In 1996 the borders of the reserve were approved by the Pskov region Government. It covers delta of the river Velikaya, the southern part of the Pskov lake, Remdovsky reserve and common parts of the coastal / water surface of Teploye lake and Pskov lake.

Under the Resolution of the Pskov region Government # 196 dated 18.07.1996 «Water / swamp area of Peipus/Pskov lake lowland» determined the differentiated regime of nature management. Management regime was elaborated individually for each part of the protected area. The above mentioned Resolution and the Resolution of the Pskov region Administration dated 23.04.1997 «Amendment to the Resolution on ‘‘water / swamp area of Peipus/Pskov lake lowland’’» determine that:

The following activities are prohibited:

• activities, which may damage natural hydrological balance; • activities, which may change or damage the bottom relief or shore structure, without ecological expertise; • blocking rivers and creeks with dams, as well as land works along the river banks, for the exception of deepening bottoms of water reservoirs for the purpose of navigation or fish melioration; • exploring natural resources, mining and explosion works; • cutting woods in protected forest areas;

• forestry activities on the shorelines in the nesting period; • stockpiling of reed and burning reed; setting up fires in forests in dry period; • disturbing nests, poles, hollows, egg layings, dikes, picking up eggs and other activities, that could prevent wild birds and animals from breeding; • leaving dogs untied in the period from ice melting till July, 1; • water traffic in the period from ice melting till July,1 except for the purpose of official needs and wildlife protection needs; • water traffic closer than 100 m to the coastal line of the lake in the period from ice melting till July,1 except for the purpose of local settlements approaching; • fishing by casting nets closer than 500 m from the coastal line from May, 1 till July, 1 in the delta of the Velikaya river, and in the area from village Meshokol to Chernaya river mouth; • group recreation in non-authorized areas; • damaging signs, billboards and other structures.

Remdovsky reserve (74.712 ha) was organized by Resolution # 386 of Hunting Department of the Russia dated 12.07.1985. Activities at the territory are limited, the following activities are prohibited: • hunting, damaging nests, poles, hollows, disturbing egg layings, dikes, picking up eggs and feathers, etc.; • staying at the territory with guns, illegal trophies, traps, dogs, etc.; • fishing, except for in Peipus, Teploye, Pskov lakes. In Peipus, Teploye, Pskov lakes fishing is not permitted closer, than 500 m from the shore line in the period form ice melting till July, 1. During the rest of the year fishing is allowed in the frames of acting Fishing Regulation Legislation; • activities, which could harm natural hydrological balance: digging works, which could cause changes in shore line structure, setting up dams, etc.; • constructing buildings closer than 500 m from a shoreline without positive ecological expertise; • water traffic in the period from ice melting till July,1 except for the purpose of official needs and wildlife protection needs; • cattle pasture closer than 200 m from the shoreline; • drainage and irrigation works without agreement with the reserve administration; • ploughing closer than 100 m from a shoreline; • hiking or individual/group water recreation without agreement with the reserve administration; • tourist camping without agreement with the reserve administration; • constructing highways / roads, pipelines, and other communication means without positive ecological expertise;

• letting land for house construction and for other purposes without positive ecological expertise and agreement with the Remdovsky reserve administration; • collecting zoological, botanical, geological, paleonthological items; • hydrological and irrigation activities; • setting up fires in forests during fire-danger period; • cutting woods in areas with restricted regime of forestry and at coastal lines; • explosion works; • leaving garbage and oil products; • damaging signs and billboards; • use of pesticides by forestry or agricultural organizations without preliminary agreement with the Remdovsky reserve administration; • picking up mushrooms and berries at cranberry swamps Gladnye Mkhi, Lipovik- Ludovskoye, Krivoy Mokh, Turenskoye without permission of the reserve administration; • any activity that could harm wildlife.

Besides, under the Forestry Regulation Legislation, the areas along shores of rivers, inhabited by beavers, are specified as “particularly protected”. In total they cover about 1000 hectares.

At the territory of Pskov Natural Reserve, established in 1992 in accordance with the Law on State Zoological Reserves, (Resolution # 4 dated 05.01.1996) the following activities are prohibited:

• melioration / irrigation activities; • cutting forests; • mining; • explosion works; • construction of highways / roads, pipelines, etc; • letting lands for house construction; • using pesticides; • tourist and sporting activities; • fishing with methods and in periods, which are not specified by the Fishing Rules in the Pskov region; • activities which could harm wildlife.

In general, the established protection regime guarantees ecological system balance and protection of fowls population following Belomor-Baltic migration way. It also sustains necessary conditions for water fowls reproduction. But some points of the Provisions on the area need to be corrected and specified.

Museum-reserve “Izborsk” (federal historical-architectural natural-landscape museum- reserve “Izborsk”) is located in the left bank area of the Peipus/Pskov lake at the territory of the Pskov region. Museum-reserve is a scientific research institution, the keeper of historical-cultural heritage and art pieces, as well as natural sites. The area of Izborsk museum, including sites of history and culture, is 7734 hectares. Izborsk museum is the state-owned institution of culture under authority of Committee of Culture of the Pskov region. Financing of the Izborsk museum is implemented from the Pskov region budget.

Izborsk museum was founded by the decree of the Chairman of the Committee of Culture #141 dated 09.08.1993. The Resolution of the Russian Government #43 dated 16.01.1996 “Activities on the protection of historical, cultural and natural heritage in the Malskaya valley of the Pskov region” transformed the museum-reserve into the authority of Russian Ministry of Culture.

Later on the Izborsk museum was transformed back into the authority of Committee of Culture of the Pskov region – Decree of Russian Ministry of Culture #217 dated 25.03.1996 and Resolution of the Pskov region Administration #110 dated 12.04.1996.

The basic goals of the museum-reserve are: • discovery, research, restoration, conservation, revival, popularization, protection and use of cultural, historical and natural objects and complexes within the boundaries of the museum-reserve for the purpose of state policy implementation in the sphere of culture and nature protection; • complex protection, keeping, museufication of immovable history sites, culture and landscape complexes; organization of their effective use for social, museum and cultural purposes; • scientific research, educational work; • elaboration and implementation of cultural programs and activities (regional, federal, international); • protection, discovery, development of traditional folk culture, traditional ways of economic household and land use, historical technologies; • organization and implementation of economic activities, involvement of non- budget finances for implementation of museum’s goals; • keeping, research, compilation and public presentation of museum items; • structuring and development of culture tourism infrastructure, based on elements of traditional Russian hospitality (guest house, Russian style sauna, etc.); • establishment of information center based on the computer information database of its collections, data of landscape complex, museum sites.

Museum-reserve is authorized to implement nature protection activities at its territory: • museum is authorized to control of architecture activities at its territory; • museum is authorized to contract within scientific research activities, activities of re-construction and construction, restoration works at its territory; • museum is authorized to regulate the visitors’ admittance regime, protection of museum’s property and cultural values; museum is authorized to establish security department.

The museum sets up a differentiated regime of territory maintenance and land use, depending on the historical, cultural and natural peculiarities. Differentiated regime depends on scheme of functional zoning within the General Plan or within scheme of territorial development of the museum-reserve. Scheme of protection zones consists of protected zone, zone of regulated construction and zone of protected landscape.

Specifics of Malskaya valley is due to the distinctive features of its geologic structure and process of landscape development. The basis of the valley relief is Devon layer of carbonate rock which steeply ends northwards at southern coast of Pskov lake. Carbonate rock is composed of lime stone and dolomites. Carbonate rock contains cavities that form waterfalls. Sloven springs (rus. Slavyansie klychy) is a place of a special picturesque attractiveness. The springs are located at Gorodishchenskoye lake coast. Lime stone and dolomites from Izborsk is a good construction material. Fortification walls of Izborsk are constructed local carbonate rock.

Kurgalsky Complex Reserve is a regionally subordinate body. It is located at Kurgalsky peninsula in Kingisepp municipality of Leningrad region. The status of the reserve is legally approved by the Decree of the Governor of Leningrad region #309 dated 20.07.2000. The area of the reserve is 59950 hectares: area of peninsula and islands is 20702 hectares, water area in Peipus lake is 848 hectares, water area in the Gulf of Finland is 38400 hectares.

Other than Kurgalsky peninsula the Kurgalsky reserve is located at the territory of close islands and a part of water area of the Gulf of Finland, and also at the territory of Luga bay (rus. Luzhskaya Guba). The cast line of the peninsula is diverse. Seven types of coast landscapes can be indicated there. The northern part of the peninsula goes into the Gulf of Finland and it is continued by Kurgalsky Reef. Kurgalsky Reef consists of a number of islands, sandbanks and stone structures. The peninsula itself is a plain, rarely hilly territory. The most part of the peninsula is occupied by Kugolovskoye Plateau that consists of stratum of the last glacier. Absolute altitudes 18-25 m (maximum point is 47 m at Gorodok Hill close to Konnovo settlement). The plateau ends gradually toward the Gulf of Finland and Narva, at the direction of Luzhsko-Narvskaya Lowland. The plateau includes slightly salty lake Lipovskoye linked with the Gulf of Finland, as well as lake Beloye and some small creeks.

The territory is indicated with 201 species of birds, 38 mammals, 9 amphibia and reptiles. 100 out of them are registered in the Red Book of different levels. Ichtiofauna of shallow waters of the Gulf of Finland and lakes is represented by numerous kinds of fish: pike, perch, etc. Kurgalsky peninsula is located right on the Belomor-Baltic migration way of birds. Coast line of the peninsula, islands and close shallow waters is a location of mass gathering and feeding of birds during the periods of migration. In the north-east of the peninsula there are bears’ dens. Islands of Tiskolsky and Kurgalsky reefs are inhabited with seals. There are also wild boar, fox, moose, polecat at the territory.

The goals of the reserve are: • preservation of patterns of natural complexes of seaside landscapes in the Gulf of Finland.; • protection of forests of middle, southern and sub taiga type; • sustaining of biological diversity, protection of rare species of flora and fauna;

• protection of gulf shallow waters – location of fish spawning and natural purification of waters; • protection of nesting locations and migration halts of water and land fowls; • protection of seal settlements; • maintenance of managed recreation. Recommended regime of protection shows development of eco trails system for the purpose of managed recreation. Economic activities at the territory are minimized. Fishing, hey compiling, visitors’ admittance are limited by certain timeframes in the period of nesting. Economic activities are limited by sanitary works at territories and aquatories of reserves.

Section 5. Analysis of the Resolution # 172 «Border zone in Gdov, Pskov, Pechory, Palkino, Pytalovo, Krasnogorodsk, Sebezh municipalities of the Pskov region» and the Resolution # 177 «Border zone in Leningrad region»

The Resolution of the Pskov region and the Leningrad region administrations approve Provisions on border zone. The Provisions determine the rules of arrival and staying in border zone for Russian / foreign citizens. The border zone is located 5 km from the shoreline. The border zone includes: • Gdov municipality: counties Dobruchinskaya, Gdovskaya, Yushkiskaya, Spitsynskay, Samolvovskaya, Remdovskaya and town Gdov • Pskov municipality: county Terebische • Pechory municipality: county Kuleiskaya, Krupp • Ivangorod municipality - town Ivangorod • Kingisepp municipality: settlements Bolshoye Raikovo, Bolshoe Stremleniye, Peipiya, Novoye Garkolovo, Glinki, Vistino, Pakhomovka, Ruchyi, Mishino, Slobodka, Luzhitsy, Krakolye, Mezhniki, Maloye Kuzemkino, Bolshoye Kuzemkino, Ropsha, Korostal, Gorka, Sarkyulya, Venikyulya, Orekhovaya Gorka, Zarech’ye, Zakhonye-2, Kolosovo; • Slantsy municipality: settlements Otradnoye, Stepanovschina, Zagriv’ye, Mokredy Perevolok, Kukin Bereg, Vtroya, Skam’ya, Pustoy Konets; • Narva river and Narva Water Reservoir including islands.

The basic border regime restrictions for consideration in terms of ecological tourism development: 1. Visiting the border zone is allowed under a special permit, obtained from Border Guard dept.; 2. All kinds of cultural or sport activities are to be carried out under a permit of Border Guard dept.; 3. Water traffic into the lakes: • Peipus – not further than 4 miles from the shoreline; • Teploye – not further than 500 m from the eastern coast towards Estonian border; • Pskov – not closer than 1000 from the border.

4. Local inhabitants are permitted to go out to lake ice and drive small boats in the area from Rubtsovshchina village up to Podborovye village at Peipus Lake; 5. Groups and individual visitors are permitted to fish or to stay on the water only in sun day time; 6. Boats are to be rented if a passport and a special permit from Border Guard dept. are available; 7. The areas for swimming and fishing, ice fishing and ice traffic in the area of Narva river and Narva water reservoir are determined by municipalities of Kingisepp, Slantsy and Ivangorod town and Border Guard dept.

At the border zone the following places for ice traffic / walking are determined:

• Kozlov bereg • Domozhirka • Laptovitsy • Sinkovischina • Vetvennik • Storozhinets • Spitsyno • Klenno • Zalachtovye • Sosno • Podlipye • Raskopel • Ostrovtsy • Podborovye • Chudskaya Ruditsa • Pnevo • Putkovo • Balsovo • Terebische • Shartovo • Lisye • Medli • Krupp

Water traffic is permitted to departure from: • Kozlov bereg • Gdov • Vetvennik • Storozhinets • Spitsyno • Podlipye • Ostrovtsy • Podborovye • Pnevo • Putkovo • Balsovo • Terebische

The basic areas for industrial fishing are marked by border buoys № 13-15, 8-10, 5-6, 1- 3. At weekends more than 5000 fishermen go fishing on the ice of the Peipus/Pskov lake. Annually more than 80 000 people obtain permits to the border zone of Pskov and Leningrad regions, 25 000 of which go fishing.

Section 6. Cultural and historical sites.

The monuments at Peipus/Pskov lake area

Federal Regional Municipality Total significance significance Pskov 108 364 472 Pechory 35 170 205 Gdov 13 284 261 Kingisepp - - 51 Slantsy - - 61 Ivangorod - - 3

The majority of the monuments are concentrated at the territory of Pskov region. Pskov city is the most attractive destination for tourist. The number of sites: • architecture – 405; • archeology – 40; • history – 52; • art – 7.

Main cultural attractions: • Pskov Kremlin (Krom) 6 - 19 cent. Historical and architectural center of the city, situated on a high cliff where Pskova river runs into Velikaya river. • Dovmont settlement 10 - 18 cent. • Fortification Walls of Pskov (outer city) 9,5 km long • Mirozhsky monastery 12 - 19 cent. and the Savior’s Transfiguration cathedral (frescoes of the 12 cent.); • Churches: St. Basil (15 cent.), St. Nicholas on Usokha (16 cent.), St. Anastasia (16 cent.) and others; • Buildings of civil architecture (17 cent.): Menshikov chambers, Solodezhnya, etc. • Buildings of civil architecture (18 - 20 cent.)

One of the most significant sites in Pskov city is the Cathedral of Savior’s Transfiguration in Mirozhsky monastery dating back to 1153. Pskov Museum of History, Architecture and Art originates from a small museum opened in 1876. Now the museum occupies a number of buildings: Pogankin chambers – a monument of civil architecture of the 17 century; a former art school, erected in the beginning of the 20 century; and a modern building, erected in the 70s of the 20th century.

High level of craftsmanship, typical for ancient masters, characterizes various kinds of icons, book miniatures, jewels, stone / wood carving and ceramics.

Memorial places in Vybuty, reminds of the name of Saint Princess Olga – the royal family founder and the founder of Pskov. Vybuty is located 15 km far from Pskov city at the beautiful bank of Velikaya river.

Pechory is a highly attractive destination for tourists. The town is situated at the boundary between Russia and Estonia. The core of the town is Pechory monastery. It was founded in 1473. The word “Pechory” originates from Russian “peschera” (rus. for “cave”). First monks used to live in sand caves. Later the stone buildings of the monastery were erected on the surface. The caves form a large cemetery town, where 10 thousand monks are buried, as well as persons from famous noble families of Russia – Suvorovs, Pushkins, Mussorgskys, etc. One can buy orthodox religious souvenirs, literature and audio/video tapes, CDs. Nowadays there are 9 churches at the monastery territory.

On the way from Baltic countries to Pskov one can see Izborsk town. Izborsk is located 30 km from Pskov. Izborsk is one of the most ancient Russian towns, it was mentioned in Russian chronicles for the first time in year 862, when the Russians invited 3 Scandinavian princes to reign Russia. One of them, prince Truvor, stayed to reign Izborsk. Izborsk is located in Malskaya valley, a unique natural site and an object for the research: some of plant species growing here (out of total 1096) are not registered anywhere else. The Truvor settlement, the ancient fortress, Malsky monastery, clean rivers and lakes, Sloven springs – everything could impress even a most sophisticated tourist.

In Gdov district the most interesting attractions are Gdov Kremlin, the place where Alexander Nevsky won over German Crusaders in 1242, Pokrovskaya church with a chapel (Ozera village), Eliazarovsky monastery in Pskov district.

In Leningrad region, Ivangorod fortress takes the top place. There is also a complex of Porechensky Pokrovsky monastery, a number of estates in Slantsy and Kingissepp municipalities.

Section 7. Tourism infrastructure. Pskov, Gdov, Pechory municipalities (Pskov region), Kingissepp, Slantsy municipalities and Ivangorod town (Leningrad region)

Pskov region In total 33 travel agencies sell tourist product at the area of Peipus/Pskov lake, including 27 travel agencies in the Pskov region and 6 travel agencies in Slantsy, Kingissepp and Ivangorod of Leningrad region. Offers on water or ecological tour product are far from significant. A larger part of travel agencies makes reservations in hotels, tourist bases, etc., located at Peipus/Pskov lake and Narva river area.

10 major accommodation establishments are located in Pskov city. None of the hotels have yet obtained a voluntary hotel certification. 1. BALTIYA motel (40 beds) (under reconstruction, beg. 2005) 2. KOLOS hotel (56 beds) 3. KROM hotel (147 beds) 4. OKTYABRSKAYA hotel (284 beds) 5. TRANZIT hotel (50 beds) 6. TOURIST hotel (210 beds) 7. RIZHSKAYA hotel (340 beds) 8. EDEM hotel (18 beds) 9. SPORT hotel (50 beds) 10. hotel of Children and Youth Tourism Center (37 beds)

8 accommodation establishments function at the lake area: 1. KRIVSK holiday hotel (Pechory district, Krivsk village) 2. LUKOMORYE recreation center (Pechory district, Molochkovo village» 3. PLESKOV country hotel (Pechory district, Pechki village) 4. ZHIDILOV BOR recreation base (Pskov district) 5. BALSOVO recreation base (Pskov district) 6. CHUDSKOYE PODVORYE recreation base (Gdov district, Spitsyno village) 7. VELENO recreation base (Gdov district, Veleno lake) 8. SOSNO recreation base (Gdov district)

Three tourist bases actively promote their facilities: 1. CHUDSKOYE PODVORYE (Gdov district, Spitsino village) 2. LUKOMORYE (Pechory district, Molochkovo village) 3. PLESKOV (Pechory district)

Other accommodation facilities are open only for the employees of certain companies and do not affect tourist industry in the region, except of KRIVSK holiday hotel.

Leningrad region 47 accommodation establishments, including 8 hotels are located at the territory of Slantsy, Kingissepp and Ivangorod districts. Mostly these are hunting and fishermen bases (10-20 beds), without full-pack facilities (WC, shower, etc.), as a rule. They are concentrated in the area from the mouth of Narva river to Narva water reservoir (Slantsy district of Leningrad region). Their owners are the companies from St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Those accommodations are open only for the employees and do not affect tourism development in the border territories.

Major accommodation establishments:

1. ROSSON rest house (400 beds) Kingissepp district 2. LUZHSKY BEREG health resort (100 beds) Kingissepp town 3. NEPTUN tourist base (100 beds) Slantsy district.

Zones of active recreation in the Pskov region and the Leningrad region: 1. Gdov district (Pskov region): • Kozlov Bereg • Spitsyno • Vetvennik • Samolva • Putkovo

2. Pskov district (Pskov region): • Pnevo • Balsovo, • Terebische • mouth of Velikaya river • area from the mouth of Velikaya river to Pechki village

3. Pechory district (Pskov region): • shoreline from Pechki village to Krupp village • Lisye village

4. Slantsy district (Leningrad region): • Narva river banks and southern coast of Narva water reservoir

5. Kingissepp district (Leningrad region): • Part of Narva river from Ivangorod to the river mouth • northern coast of Narva storage reservoir

Non-residents coming to summer houses (dacha), visiting relatives and staying for recreation purposes increase the population of the Lakeland villages 5 times in summer time compared to winter time.

Section 8. Analysis of tourist visits in Peipus/Pskov lake area.

A survey on tourist arrivals in Lake Peipus/Pskov area was carried out in LUKOMORYE recreation center (25 km from Pskov) and RIZHSKAYA hotel (city of Pskov) in summer, 2004. 500 visitors have been interviewed.

The respondents were interviewed through a questionnaire, containing 13 positions. The questions revealed the travel patterns of respondents: purpose of travel, duration of stay, evaluation of service quality and socio-demographic data.

The survey in LUKOMORYE recreation center and RIZHSKAYA hotel has shown the following:

Number of Unit % answers Place of residence • Russia 385 77% • CIS countries 60 12% • other 55 11%

Socio-demographic data 1. Sex: • male 310 62% • female 190 38%

2. Age: • under 16 years 0 0% • 17-30 years 215 43% • 31-45 years 150 30% • 46-60 years 135 27% • 60 and more 0 0%

3. Level of Income • low 20 4% • middle 415 83% • high 65 13%

Purpose of visit and attraction of destination 1. Purpose of visit: • leisure/recreation 300 60% • business/conference 75 15% • visiting friends/relatives 85 17% • other 40 8%

2. Destination attraction: • natural scenery 320 28,19% • culture/cultural attractions 145 12,78% • history/historical sites 160 14,10% • sport facilities 110 9,69%

• recreational facilities 300 26,43% • shopping 10 0,88% • other 90 7,93%

Duration of stay • 1 day 5 1% • 1-3 days 80 16% • 3-7 days 185 37% • over 7 days 230 46%

Visited regions in Russian Federation • Pskov region 205 41% • Pskov region and other regions of Russia 295 59%

Locations of visit within the Pskov region 1. Location: • Peipus/Pskov lake 500 26,60% • Sebezh national park 490 26,06% • Pskov 280 14,89% • Velikiye Luki 205 10,90% • Pechory 160 8,51% • Izborsk 110 5,85% • Pushkinskiye Gory 65 3,46% • Ostrov 60 3,19% • other 10 0,53%

2. Type of travel: • package tour 95 19% • self arrangement 405 81%

General evaluation of visit • excellent 185 37% • good 275 55% • satisfactory 40 8% • poor 0 0%

The analysis of the above mentioned information shows:

1. Distribution of tourists depending on residence Most of respondents (more than 77%) are from Russia. CIS countries citizens – from Belarus, Ukraine and others – make 12%. The minor number of respondents is from Estonia and Latvia, as well as from Finland, France, etc.

A higher number of respondents from Baltic countries in comparison with CIS ones is preconditioned by the following reasons: • sustainable relations between family relatives in the above mentioned countries and inhabitants of the Pskov region; • sustainable business relations between entrepreneurs.

2. Distribution of tourists depending on social and demographic features The social and demographic characteristics in this survey were respondents’ sex, age and level of income.

Among the total number of visitors to the Pskov region the men make approximately 62%, women accordingly 38%.

The most number of respondents (43%) are among 17 and 30 years old; the group of 31-45 year olds takes the second place (30%). Respondents of 46-60 years old make 27%. Results of the research show that the most “mobile” part of visitors are the persons at the age from 17 to 45 which makes more than 70% of total.

Among the interrogated visitors the biggest share (83%) make the persons with an average level of incomes. 13% of respondents have shown their level of incomes as “high”; 4% - persons with low incomes. The insignificant share of visitors with high incomes testifies, most likely, to an insufficient level and number of services delivered.

3. Distribution of tourists depending on the purpose of their visit and attractiveness of the place to stay Overwhelming majority of respondents (60%) showed the purpose of visit "spare time, leisure, weekends". Business purposes – 15% of the interrogated, 17% of respondents arrive to the Pskov region arrive to the Pskov region with the purpose of visiting friends and relatives.

The respondents have also shown “other purpose” of visit (8%), that had not been put in the questionnaire. They are: participation in athletic activities, expeditions, educational purposes and pilgrimage.

As the basic features of attractiveness the respondents have allocated the picturesque nature (28%) and historical sights (14%). Visitors interested in cultural heritage make 14% and leisure and entertainment locations/activities (26%).

4. Distribution of tourists depending on duration of visit to the Pskov region Almost 50% of visitors of LUKOMORIE have arrived for the term of more than 7 days.

5. Distribution of tourists depending on geographical location of places to visit within the Pskov region Pskov was shown as the top destination for 25% of visitors and it is surely the most popular site. Pechory, Izborsk, Pushkinskiye Gory are assumed to be visited by approximately 16% of visitors. Pskov lake and Peipus lake are attractive only for 10% of respondents.

Insignificant number of respondents (~3%) wishes to visit towns Ostrov and Velikie Luki. This shows that the basic purposes of their visits to the towns are business and visiting relatives and friends.

The general summary shows that mobility of tourists within the Pskov region is relative and is not too high. Low mobility partly speaks for a weak development of transportation infrastructure and for the lack of the offer at the tourist markets of Pskov region / Pskov city.

The above mentioned reasons also form the situation that the overwhelming majority of tourists (81%) arrange their visit independently, without tour operators’ services.

6. Distribution of tourists according to service quality Within the survey the respondents were offered to evaluate service quality according to a number of parameters.

The visitors have evaluated the service quality delivered by guides at the highest rate: 55% of respondents have graded it "excellent". Handcrafts got a rather high estimation of respondents: 49% of respondents have graded it "excellent".

More than 50% of respondents have specified a good level of accommodation and catering services, as well as shopping and a “price level”. Quality of transport service within the Pskov region does not satisfy more than half of respondents (34% have graded transport service as "satisfactory", 22% - "poor").

Service of local tour operators is graded as "good" (43%), but 39% have shown "poor". In general the visitors are pleased with their visit to the Pskov region, 55% of respondents have graded it "good". The majority of visitors wish “development of a tourist infrastructure as a whole”.

7. Interrelation of the visit purpose to the Pskov region and other factors

1. The purpose of visit does not depend on a place of constant residing: approximately 60% of respondents have specified a “time to spend” as the purpose of the visit. 2. The majority of the “business visitors” are men (83%). 3. Most of “recreation visitors” are 17-30 years old (40%), “business visitors” – 31-45 years old (60%). 4. Visitors with an average level of incomes (83%) prevail in total number of visitors.

5. The most attractive item for “recreation visitors” is the picturesque nature (32%), cultural heritage (23%), historical sights (36%). More than half (55%) of “friends/relatives visitors” have shown recreational opportunities as the attractive item. 6. Duration of stay of the basic part of the “recreation and business visitors” is 1-3 days; “friends/relatives visitors” stay more than 3 days. 7. The purpose of visit basically impacts neither geographical location of places to visit within the Pskov region nor the way of travel arrangement. 8. A general evaluation of visit to the Pskov region is high enough, without any reference to the purpose of visit. Business visitors grade it lower (80% showed "good" и "satisfactory").

8. Interrelation of visitors’ place of constant residing and other factors

1. The social and demographic structure of tourists is rather stable and has no basic distinctions depending on a place of constant residing (Russia, CIS and other countries). 2. Irrespectively of the constant residing place the basic attributes of attractiveness to tourists in the Pskov region are: picturesque nature, cultural heritage and historical sights. 3. The place of constant residing of tourists is not dependent on the duration of their visit to the Pskov region. A significant part of visitors (about 40%) stay in the Pskov region with short-term visit 1-3 days. 4. The most part of tourists from the CIS countries (70%) planned to visit other regions of the Russia. Whereas less than 50% of Russian citizens and other countries’ citizens were going to visit other regions of Russia. 5. The destinations to visit within the Pskov region does not depend on the place of constant residing. The basic planned destinations are Pskov, Pechory, Izborsk, Pushkinskiye Gory. 6. The way of trip arrangement does not depend on a place of constant residing also. Overwhelming majority of tourists (~70%) travel independently and arrange the visit on their own. 7. Irrespectively to a place of constant residing, all tourists are unanimous in the general evaluation of their visit to the Pskov region: more than 90% of respondents graded the results of their visit "excellent” and “good").

In general, the results of survey testify a certain interest of the majority of visitors to the Pskov region in terms of attractiveness. The majority of visitors arrive to the region independently, without tour operators’ assistance. A minor part of independent visitors testifies to insufficient information and limited offer of services.

Lack of information about recreation facilities of the Pskov region at the internal / foreign travel markets does not allow using available potential of region to the full extend. Thus, it is important to speed up work of local tour operators in terms of informing potential visitors and expanding the assortment of services.

Overwhelming majority of tourists arrive to the Pskov region with the purpose of recreation. However, taking into account a huge number of historical and cultural sights, natural resources, religious values, it is necessary to develop various kinds of the specialized tour packages aiming at acquaintance with historical sights, cultural and religious values, active tourism (fishing, hunting), pilgrimage.

The survey shows that the basic problem of tourism business development in the Pskov region is “poorly developed infrastructure”. In particular, the visitors show the greatest claims to the arrangement of local transportation. Such a situation substantially decreases service quality, reduces mobility of tourists and reduces the incomes of the region from travel business.

There is a clear need to carry out a similar research work on a regular basis for the purpose of studying conditions and dynamics of travel market in the Pskov region, as well as its development.

For working out concrete, specific recommendations it is necessary to carry out precise marketing research work within different businesses (accommodation, public catering, travel agencies, transport companies, entertainment facilities, etc.).

Section 9. Water transport

There are 4 water traffic companies in the Pskov region. The companies are carrying out activities which are obligatory to be licensed: • JSC «Pskov port» (ships "Polesye-36", "Zarya-255R"); • Pskov raipo (Pskov customer cooperation society) (ship "Pskov"); • RALKON, Ltd. (ship “Burevestnik”); • Novikov S.E. (entrepreneur) (ship "Alexander Nevsky").

Passenger water traffic is carried out within two scheduled regular routes by ships "Polesye-36 " (50 seats) and "Zarya-255R" (63 seats): • Pskov city – Talab islands: 4 times a week; • Pskov city – Shartovo village (island Kolpino): 2 times a week.

General length of navigable routs with controlled traffic conditions is 467 km. 26 km out of total 467 km are along the Velikaya river.

Border Check Point STOROZHINETS functions in Peipus lake. Beginning with the navigation period of 2005 Border Check Point STOROZHINETS gives an opportunity to carry out transportation along the water route Tartu (Estonia) – Pskov (Russia).

SCHEDULE of ship " Polesye-36 " within commuter high-speed line Pskov - Talab islands - Pskov (data for autumn 2004)

Thursday, Friday, Saturday Sunday Distance Destination (km) departure Arrival departure arrival departure arrival departure arrival

0 Pskov 8:00 - 18:00 - 13:30 - 17:00 - 34 Zalit island 08:40 08:35 18:40 18:35 14:10 14:05 17:40 17:35 38 Belov island 08:50 08:45 18:50 18:45 14:20 14:15 17:30 17:45 71 Pskov - 09:25 - 19:25 - 14:55 - 18:25

FARES (data for autumn 2004)

Fare, RUR Route adults children Pskov - Zalit island 34 17 Pskov - Belov island 34 17 Zalit island - Belov island 3 1,5

Section 10. Calendar of events

The calendar of evens for Gdov, Pskov, Pechory municipalities of the Pskov region and Slantsy, Kingissepp municipalities, Ivangorod city of the Leningrad region is represented by 39 events and festivals.

The events analysis at the respective territories shows underestimation of their role in development of travel business. The most significant events, that may boost inbound tourism, deal with eco and water tourism. They are:

Pechory district of the Pskov region: • ICE SPRINT "LUKOMORYE" on the ice of Pskov lake in "Lukomorye" recreation center (February) • CART RACING "LUKOMORYE" competitions on the ice of Pskov lake in "Lukomorye" recreation center (February) • Festival of military/patriotic clubs and clubs of historical reconstruction “Ancient shield of Russian land” in Izborsk (June)

Pskov district of the Pskov region: • Mid-summer folk holiday (Ivan Kupala) – Rodina village (July)

Gdov district of the Pskov region: • Fisherman day – Ustye village (July)

Ivangorod of the Leningrad region: • White Nights festival of Mariinsky Theatre (June - July) • Day of the City - (July, 24-25)

Kingisepp district of the Leningrad region: • Mid-summer folk holiday (Ivan Kupala) - Drama Shows - (June) • Fisherman day – Drama Shows, fish kitchen available (June)

Section 11. The conditions of sports and amateur fishery

Amateur fishing at Peipus/Pskov lake is rather popular but it is unorganized and not managed. The basic part of fishermen is from the Pskov region, the Leningrad region (especially from districts of Slantsy, Kingisepp, Gatchina and St. Petersburg city).

The most popular season is the winter period. In winter one can fish for roach, perch and ruff. Fishermen use winter-type fishing rods, much less often they use net trap for predatory kinds of fishes.

Average amount of fish per fisherman / day1: • roach – 1,2 kg; • perch – 1,581 kg; • ruff – 0,627 kg; • total – up to 3,4 kg per man/day.

In winter, on week-day Pskov lake is visited by approx. 400 amateur fishermen, on weekend - up to 5000 persons. Thus, amateur fishermen can have up to 400 kg of roach, perch up to 600 kg, and ruff up to 250 kg. And up to 6 kg of pike per day using net trap.

In summer fishermen can have: roach up to 1,2 kg/day, perch up to 0,8 kg, up to 3 kg of pike (using spinning rod). Average time of fishing - 4,5 hours. An average density of fishermen is 1 person per 50 hectares.

Proceeding from these data, one can calculate an approximate amount of fish caught in Peipus/Pskov lake per day by amateur fishermen (see the table).

FISH AMOUNT caught by amateur fishers at water reservoirs of the Pskov region (tons)2

Kind of fish Peipus/Pskov minor reservoirs total lake roach 55,7 176,8 232,5 perch 62,2 69,1 131,2 bream - 69,8 69,8 ruff 56,6 4,2 60,7 pike 2,2 - 2,2 others 1,3 55,4 56,7 TOTAL 177,8 375,3 553,1

Licensed fishing is carried out according to the respective federal and regional legislation. Licenses are issued for the terms from 1 day to 1 month’s period (1-3 nets,

1 According to Fishery Management Office data (2003) 2 According to Fishery Management Office data (2003)

length up to 50m). Licensed fishing at water reservoirs of the Pskov region is split into the following kinds: 1. Licensed fishing of valuable kinds of fishes: white lake fish at Peipus lake (Raskopel – Spitsino section) in the winter period.

2. Licensed fishing using fishing instruments and tools: • Fishing for roach using nets with segments sized from 28 up to 36 mm, distance – 100m zone of Peipus/Pskov lake reservoir within 10 days’ period in spring right after the ice breaking.

• Fishing using nets with segments sized from 28 up to 36 mm, distance – 500m zone of Peipus/Pskov lake reservoir and 500 m zone for inhabitants of coastal line. List of villages is specified by municipalities of Pskov, Pechory and Gdov.

• Fishing using nets with segments sized from 28 up to 70 mm on minor water reservoirs of the Pskov region.

PART II. CONCEPT PROVISIONS FOR ECO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Section 1. General provisions The data analysis shows that Peipus/Pskov lake territory contains unique resources for development of various forms of the tourism using natural, cultural and cognitive aspects.

On the basis of estimation of regional resource potential and on the strategy of sustainable development, one may summarize: in future tourism business may become one of the most significant spheres of economy and the most ecologically safe. In the course of development the emphasis will be focused mainly on involvement of various objects of natural and a cultural heritage. It will promote revealing and preservation of heritage, preservation of environment, promotion of wildlife management, acknowledgement of Russian culture values at internal and international markets.

Nowadays eco/water tourism in Peipus/Pskov reservoir develops spontaneously without a clear clue of its essence and principles of its management. The majority of public and businessmen still consider eco/water tourism as a source of additional incomes. Such point of view is dangerous. Without thorough planning and management, when no scientific knowledge and experience is applied to this specific business, the protected territories and local residents will not get any essential economic advantages from tourism. Moreover, such approach can badly damage unique ecosystems and discredit the idea of eco tourism development.

Ecological tourism should base on implementation of the following ecological tourism principles: • visiting relatively untouched natural territories with the purpose of acquaintance to wildlife, local customs and culture; • minimization the negative impact of tourism business in terms of ecological and social character; • assisting wildlife management, as well as assisting social and cultural environment of the territory concerned; • ecological education and education of all tourism business participants – tourists, tour operators, local population; • involvement of local population and letting them get incomes from tourism business. This fact will be an economic stimulus to wildlife management by locals; • economic efficiency and contribution to sustainable development of areas concerned.

The following criteria of the evaluation meet the basic ecological tourism principles. These criteria are the opportunity to evaluate ecological aspect if any tourism product offered. The criteria of evaluation are as follows:

BASIC CRITERIA of ESTIMATION PRINCIPLES Minimizing • maximum permissible recreational loading is not exceeded; negative affect of • development of tourism is thoroughly planned, controlled and ecological and managed; socio-cultural character, • rules of behavior for visitors are observed; ecological • tourists use ecologically safe transport means; sustainability management of • waste is not stored at a general dump, but it is being sorted, environment removed from the territory and then technologically processed; • visitors stop and set up fire only in authorized locations; • purchase of the souvenirs made of protected wildlife items is not allowed; • mushrooms, berries, flowers, herbs and any natural souvenirs are picked up only in authorized areas and in authorized time periods; • hotels, guest houses, camping for tourists are placed the way which does not harm regular, ecologically sustainable development of a neighborhood landscapes and does not change its image negatively; • hotels, guest houses, camping are constructed of ecologically harmless materials, their inhabitants do not use energy and water excessively, drains and emissions are cleaned, other waste products are utilized. As the best way - the "closed cycle" technologies are used; • food for visitors is ecologically clean and useful, and includes local food items. Assistance to • travel business is an additional sources of financing for nature management of protection activities; wildlife and local • visitors are involved in nature protection activities (volunteers, socio-cultural students’ eco camps, etc.); environment • visitors are concerned with local cultural traditions, customs, life style, are ready to study and understand them; • development of travel business promotes cooperation with local population, increases its public prestige, expands international contacts. Ecological • prior to arrival the visitors get information about nature and education about rules of behavior in the area concerned; • visitors are conscious of their responsibility for preservation of nature, keep to rules of behavior; • visits and excursions necessarily include an ecological study

BASIC CRITERIA of ESTIMATION PRINCIPLES component; • guides and instructors are qualified ecologists (athletes for boating); • objects for visiting are interesting and located in ecologically favorable environment (natural and cultural); • program of visit includes ecological/educational trails, nature museums, local museums, study of ecotechnological facilities, etc.; • visitors get acquainted with local environmental problems and the ways to solve them, as well as acquaintance with nature protection projects under current elaboration; • visitors participate in solving local environmental problems. Involvement of • local labor is used, local production items purchased; local residents • local residents are involved in tourism business and have an and getting opportunity to develop traditional ways of life/work; income from tourism business • incomes from eco tourism activities are available to various by locals as social groups (a principle of impact expansion). This is the way economic stimulus make preservation of environment economically advantageous to wildlife for the local population. management Economic • complex approach to development of tourism business; efficiency and • thorough planning, monitoring and management; contribution to sustainable • integration of eco tourism into local plans of development; development of • close cooperation of the organizations/companies of a various visited regions structure/ownership; • incomes from tourism are not completely withdrawn from the local budgets, but they promote budgets’ re-filling and support local economy.

Section 2. Kinds of eco tourism

A wide range of activities may referred to ecological tourism on the condition of adequate planning and management: beginning with long-term scientific expeditions and ending with short-term recreation in the nature on weekends. Such a variety might be classified by various criteria: by groups of visitors, by objects to visit, by kinds of tourist activities, by duration of visit, etc.

According to specifics of activities the kinds of tourism may be subdivided into: • scientific • educational • recreational

Scientific eco tourism – expeditions of scientists, summer field practice of students, other kinds of travel collecting scientific information about visited area.

Educational eco tourism is “eco tourism in its classical understanding”. Its kinds are birdwatching, watching exotic butterflies, botanical excursions, archeological and ethnographical tours, eco safari, video- and photographing. Educational eco tourism includes the major part of traditional eco-educational programs for school kids, ecological camps and expeditions, field meetings and excursions. Educational eco tourism includes also a wide range of cultural-educational and excursion tours, if the object of visiting is a natural area.

Recreational eco tourism – spending time in the nature. However it also refers to educational aspect. Such tourism can be active (a kind of "adventure" tourism) and passive. Active forms are pedestrian, horse and ski tours, mountaineering and water tours (catamarans, rafts, canoes). Passive form of recreational tourism includes staying in tent camps, short-distance hikes and walks, picnics. Fishing and picking up berries/mushrooms (on principles of ecological stability) can be referred to passive recreational tourism also.

The ratio of tourist programs to potential groups of clients (in terms of objects and activities) is given below in tables.

1. SCIENTIFIC AND SPECIALIZED TOURISM

Groups of product Potential target groups Using territory and resources Peipus / • educational groups and delegations; Pskov Lakeland as an object for scientific • researchers of a nature and scientists; research and special interest, in the following spheres: • businessmen and civil servants; • scientific expeditions for the purpose • other groups. of collecting scientific information about visited area; • field practice of students; • conferences, congresses, seminars, symposiums, educational programs; • business trips.

2. EDUCATIONAL ECO TOURISM

2.1 Educational eco tours and eco educational programs Groups of product Potential target groups Birdwatching tours, watching butterflies, • educational groups and delegations botanical excursions, archeological and • researchers of nature and scientists ethnographical travels, eco safari, video- and photographing at Ornithological • businessmen Station of the Pskov Tearcher’s University • other groups in Remdovsky natural reserve. Education programs (using territory as a • school students spot of study, creativity and active • university / college students cognitive tourism at accommodation objects): • professors / teachers • Ecological kids/youth camps, meetings, competitions, Olympiads, students’ research and study expeditions • educational ecological seminars

2.2 Excursions / tours Groups of product Potential target groups Excursions by ships and boats on water • various groups reservoirs: • vacation / weekend tourists Peipus lake, Pskov lake, Teploye lake, Narva river, Narva water basin, Velikaya • delegations, participants of activities, river, Zhelcha river visiting historical- seminars, etc. cultural objects • retired persons Tours by bus: Pskov - Gdov – Kobylye • various groups Gorodishche (settlement), Eliazarovsky • school students monastery, Ivangorod, Izborsk, etc. • delegations, participants of activities, seminars, etc.

2.3 Cultural / cognitive tourism Groups of product Potential target groups Sites of history and culture, historical • those interested in history, culture, locations, battle fields national traditions • those visiting former native areas or former battle fields Events of cultural life (festivals, holidays, • participants of holidays and festivals etc.) • those having special hobbies Religious and pilgrim tourism to • religious tourists, pilgrims, retired monasteries and “sacred places” persons

3. RECREATIONAL ECOTOURISM

Groups of a product Potential groups of purpose Rout tourism: • those who like active recreation in • routes on the rivers and lakes by the nature boat and canoe, hiking and skiing, • special groups, participants of etc. championships and the youth • sports tourism (water, walking, skiing, sailing tourism, etc.)

Farm tourism: • urban families • recreation in the countryside, • former local residents focused on exotics of rural life; accommodation at local residents’ • summer house (dacha) residents houses and special guest houses • those who like the exotics of rural (local peasants are employed) life

• painters / artists Hunting and fishing tourism: • fishers and non-active recreation in • recreation at lake/river banks with the nature, amateur hunters, an opportunity of fishing using fish individuals and small groups hooks • amateur hunting (under special licenses)

Adventure tourism: • individuals and small groups which • extreme travel are fond of active recreation in the nature and adventures, first of all • motor-paragliding and other exotic students and businessmen cross-country vehicles • living alone in the forests or at the islands ("Robinson style"), etc.

PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM for the elaboration at Peipus/Pskov Lakeland

8 basic principles shown below can be taken as a basis for ecotourism development.

Principle 1. The number of visitors should not exceed capacity of the nature In other words, the maximum permissible recreational loadings on natural complexes should not be exceeded. When planning, maximum permissible recreational loadings should be calculated for all landscape and natural sites under recreational use. A constant monitoring should be carried out for recreational digression of landscapes in recreational zones.

Zoning of the territory is the first step to avoid damage to the nature from recreation activities. As a result of zoning the territory will be divided into sites with a wide range of restrictions for visitors. Certain territories should be restricted for visits at all.

The second major way of recreational loadings reduction on the nature is equipping territory: setting up trails and marking routes, setting up fire places, WCs, trash containers, fire wood pilling, placing information at billboards, precautionary signs, etc.

Thus, each territory should have a rigid regulation of tourism activities. I t should have well equipped routes with precisely fixed places for camping at night. Camping sites may be set up at special parkings, at houses of local residents adapted for tourists’ accommodation. The volume of tourist number, their structure, the personnel occupied in service should be regulated according to ecological requirements, opportunities of social and economic infrastructure.

Principle 2. Contents of tours should be based on history and local traditions of the area

Visitors coming to wildlife would not like to stay idle. They will wish to see ancient architecture, to get acquainted with local customs, to try delightful Russian cuisine. There are tourists expecting to see luxury and all convenience of modern civilization in the wildlife territory.

Therefore, ecotourism should be focused on active and educational recreation in direct dialogue with nature. Service quality should be defined not by the maximum amount of modern convenience, but defined by a well prepared program of tours. Tours should include acquaintance with local traditions, no matter what the tour specifics is. Tourist objects (hotels, shelters, etc.) should necessarily be constructed of local building materials (timber, stone, etc.) local architectural style must be used. Objects should be equipped only with the most necessary facilities (water, sewerage) under minimum sanitary and hygienic requirements and comfort conditions. Souvenir production should be made of local materials on the basis of traditional crafts.

Thus, it is necessary to use local sights, traditions and history of the territory for its own unique style and image.

Principle 3. Tourist activity should improve the economy of the territory and raise

local residents’ income Development of travel and service businesses can be considered as an important sphere of territory’s economic specialization. Development of ecotourism can set up a sustainable local food market, services market, as well as hand crafts market. And finally, tourism can form conditions for sustainable social and economic development of the territory concerned.

Principle 4. A careful nature management should be a top priority for all activities It is necessary to guarantee a sustainable use of natural resources for all kinds of activities, including forestry, hunting and traditional wildlife management. Visitors from different countries are concerned about environment preservation. They don’t want to see poorly cleaned or poorly managed forest area, as well as vandal nature treatment of local residents, even if it is justified by “local needs” reason. There shouldn’t be untidy campings in the parks, stinky WCs, roaring boat engines, water polluted with mineral oils. Powerboats and snowcycles should be excluded too. Recycling of trash and waste products should be managed with a special care. Plans for the tourism business development should refer to all requirements of environment preservation.

Principle 5. “Do not sell their lives” Tourism business should not threaten rare kinds of plants and animals. Tourist routes should stay aside the nesting areas of rare birds.

Principle 6. Guarantee of highly qualified guides A qualified guide makes a route successful. Each reserve and national park should have certain standards of professional training for guides and should invest into guide training. Non-trained guides should not work with tourists.

Principle 7. Guarantee of safety for tourists Tours may be delivered in wildlife, in untouched natural territories. Long distances, lack of roads and trails may cause difficulties for rescue activities in emergency situation. First medical aid to an injured tourists should be properly managed. Safety of tourists and safety of their property should be guaranteed.

Principle 8. Analysis of clients’ replies, respond to visitors’ claims, improvement of service quality on the basis of visitors claims The best promotion for a new tour is a satisfied visitor. Ecotourism is a kind of tourism which is being promoted by means of articles, seminars and presentations, moth-to- mouth stories among people who visited exotic places. Therefore it is important to know all points of view of visitors, their ideas in this kind of tourism. Tourists should fill in the special questionnaire where they could evaluate tour programs. The criticism and new ideas should be used for the service improvement.

PART III. STRATEGY OF ECO TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Section 1. The main idea of strategy for ecotourism development

Eco tourism development should be guided by needs of different tourists. It should take into account inquiries Russian and foreign travel markets. It should be carried out by boosting the following activities: • investment enhancing and tourism infrastructure development at territories concerned; • development of tourist service industry and improvement of service quality; • use of new tourist products, development of marketing and promotion; • training of all tourist business participants; • development of tourism business and service industry, involvement of local population into this process.

Section 2. The purposes and objectives of strategy of ecological tourism development

The main goals of ecological tourism development at regional and local levels: • Improvement of ecological awareness and general culture of the population, promotion of natural and cultural heritage, formation of an active, positive attitude of authority and public to protected territories; • application of common approaches, principles and standards to ecotourism development; formation of unified information space of ecotourism services; cooperation and network in the development and the promotion of tourist product; • development of the international cooperation and regional links with different tourism businesses; integration into system of the world ecotourism market; • ecological education of the population, promotion of natural and cultural heritage; • provision of conditions for active and educational recreation in wildlife territories, improvement of emotional and physical health of the population; • obtaining self-financing for the territory development, increase of local and regional budget funds; • creation of new jobs, development SME travel business, development of tourism infrastructure and service industry at the local level; • development of tourist products and improvement of its quality, improvement of promotion and marketing for visitors; • provision of social and economic alternatives to harmful nature management.

Section 3. Strategic directions of activity for ecotourism development

Under objectives and the principles of ecotourism development and considering present day situation of tourism development the directions of ecotourism development are the following: • improvement of tourism infrastructure (accommodation, transport, communication, the equipping territories); • search of financing sources; • training of tourist business participants; • development of service according to visitors’ interests; • improvement of tourists’ safety and comfort; • marketing and promotion of the tourist product; • provision of hygiene and sanitary requirements in tourist service; • business development in tourism service; • use geopolitical position advantages - border of Russia and EU.

3.1. Improvement of tourism infrastructure (accommodation, transport, communication, equipping route territories)

Long-term objective: setting up a developed tourism infrastructure, including the equipped trails and routes, tourist accommodation means, transport means and communications under the requirements of environment preservation and landscapes of protected territories.

Now the tourism infrastructure is developed insufficiently. Quality of roads is poor. Road infrastructure is poorly developed in counties. There are no traffic signs and billboard at the territories. There are no guarded parking lots, there are few places where a tourist can get information, many routes are not equipped properly, there are few objects of tourist accommodation means.

The basic problems of accommodation sector: low level equipment of hotels and tourist shelters, unhygienic WCs, untreated drinking water, lack of the equipped guarded parking places.

From the point of view of a foreign tourist there are problems of safety in hotels, general hygiene, high quality of service and the knowledge of foreign languages.

Lack of budget financing of capital investments does not allow building and renovating new accommodation means. Besides new construction it is also necessary to train personnel, to improve service and marketing.

On the basis of above mentioned one can determine the following strategic goals of tourist infrastructure development:

а) Highways • repair, reconstruction and construction of new highways to the main tourist destination.

• setting up traffic sign system at the main highways with information in Russian and English languages; printing of information materials for tourists (maps, brochures). b) Internal road network, transport, equipping and information system of the territory • construction of road/trail network, equipping of highways and trails. Informing about highways and trails; • elaboration of special routes and programs for different visitors, setting up and equipping of ecological trails and routes; • placing information at billboards and signs; construction of observation towers and sites for watching wild animals; • purchase of land and water vehicles for tourist transportation for providing excursions and cruise along the water route Pskov (Russia) – Tartu (Estonia), Pskov – Ivangorod. c) Tourist accommodation: • repairing and equipping of camping / parking sites; • construction of recreation areas and other tourist accommodation means; • setting up and renovation of Gdov local museum, the establishment of Museum of Nature; • checking and analysis of an current tourism infrastructure (accommodation means, trails, highways, transport, communication, etc.) and identification of needs for its development; • preparation of investment program on development of tourism infrastructure in Pskov city; Pskov, Gdov and Pechory municipalities of Pskov region; Kingissepp, Slantsy municipalities and Ivangorod city of Leningrad region. Use of investment program by regional authority.

3.2. Renovation of historical monuments and revival of local cultural traditions

Long-term objective: creation of a unique and attractive image of each national park and reserve for tourists where remarkable historical sites are carefully protected and traditional culture of local population is preserved.

The basic ways of using historical and cultural potential from the point of view of tourism development include: • revealing and preservation of archeological sites (Neolithic parking zones, ancient settlements, sanctuaries, etc.); renovation of some ancient settlements and museum antiquities; • preservation and adjustment of architectural sites for using them for the tourist purposes; revival of pattern of local inhabitance in the area l, as well as settlements structure and their image; • renovation of monasteries, temples, etc; • preservation of traditional ways and forms of nature management as elements of local cultural tradition; • compilation of data on history of some villages, family stories, local geographic names, objects of material culture; studying local dialects, song folklore,

ceremonies, mythology and their presentation to tourists by means of thematic museum exhibitions, booklets and excursions;

In the system of ecotourism all these activities should be serve the solution of the following primary goals: • setting up open-air museum complexes including a complex of sights, museum objects and the exhibit items, which are located in a historical cultural landscape and natural environment; • organization of modern use of heritage elements, including establishment of tourist villages; carrying out of folklore and traditional local religious holidays; establishment of souvenir manufacturing; preservation of traditional ways of fishing and hunting, etc.

3.3. Carrying out of complete inventory of historical and cultural heritage, elaboration of special strategy on preservation of historical and cultural heritage which would include a complex of protection activities and usage of cultural heritage objects on the purpose of education and tourism;

3.4. Interaction of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and regional authorities in the sphere of preservation and use of historical and cultural heritage objects.

3.5. Investment into tourism

Long-term objective: involvement of Russian and foreign investments for the development of tourist infrastructure in reserves and national parks in Northwest Russia.

Financing for tourism investment in national parks and reserves can be involved from various sources:

I. Internal sources

Russia federal budget

The Pskov region and the regional budget, municipal budget Leningrad region other Russian sources Russian investors from Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc.

Il. External sources

EU Neighborhood program, INTERREG program, other programs of EU

Scandinavian countries Cooperation funds for neighboring countries (Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs), regional programs other international sources European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, etc.

To obtain the financial help and investments from foreign and international financial sources it is necessary to implement rather rigid requirements. In any case these sources of financing should not be considered as the basic ones.

In investment sphere the following basic objectives can be determined: • identification of conditions and opportunities of investments into tourism development for each project from local and foreign sources; • elaboration of investment projects and offers for financing ecological tourism development, taking into account the requirements of local and international financing organizations; • enhancing of rent-based relations and the development of effective concession politics. At the regional network level it is necessary: • coordination of regional projects financed by foreign countries due to requirements of ecotourism development in Northwest Russia; • elaboration and promotion of investment projects in the sphere of ecotourism development.

3.6. Training programs

Long-term objective: training of highly qualified travel business personnel for national parks and reserves in Northwest Russia.

The serious problems constraining the ecotourism development: lack of qualified personnel, low level of tourist service, poor knowledge of foreign languages, low awareness of business cooperation rules are. Therefore, development of training program for all tourist business personnel and travel agencies staff, are the main issues of ecotourism strategy.

The primary objectives for tourism training process: • training of guides for work on routes; • training of tourist business participants; • training of tourism staff to management and cooperation rules in international tourism; • exchange programs for travel business participants; • elaborate professional standards and the system of non-stop training for tourist business participants in tourist service and management.

Training process should include the following basic ways: • business, knowledge of market, finance and legislation; • elaboration of a high-quality tourist product, marketing and promotion; • tourist service rules, comfort and safety of the visitor; • knowledge of the nature (skills to determine plants, birds, animals, etc.) and area (knowledge of history and local traditions), practical skills for work on routes

(guide skill, to set up a camp, to take a ferry, to prepare food, to render first aid, etc.).

3.7. Development of tourist services

Long-term objective: development of tourist service sphere for different visitors and elaboration of a competitive tourist product.

The main problems in the tourist service development are: • long distances and complicated access, insufficient development of road/transport infrastructure and communication; • lack and low capacity of existing accommodation means and tourist service; • low level of demand and offers, dependence on seasons, low service level in accommodation means, discrepancy in price and quality; • lack of marketing programs and routes; • lack of the information about tourist opportunities and services; • undeveloped marketing and promotion; • lack of trained personnel for work with tourists.

For elaboration of competitive tourist product and for improvement of service quality it is necessary to solve the following problems: • improve tourist structure by involving the best known tourist sights of the region into the tour programs; • provide quick development of tourism infrastructure: improvement of transportation, improvement of mobile phone / radio communication, construction of new tourist accommodation objects and the improvement of existing ones; • provide the improvement of service quality according to visitors’ requirements; • elaborate test tours; testing of those tours in cooperation with Russian and foreign travel agencies; • elaborate a package of tours for sale in the cooperation with businessmen and travel agencies • carry out training and certification program for guides; • certification of ecotourism services.

3.8. Tourists’ safety and comfort

Long-term objective: providing safety and comfort for tourists traveling to the wildlife territory.

The distinctive features for many tours are long distances, lack of accommodation objects and roads, vast water areas and uninhabited natural territories. Providing the tourists’ comfort and safety is the main problem in such conditions. It is necessary to note, that tourist’s safety includes safety of his(her) health and life, safety of personal property, and transport safety (guarantee of arrival and departure from the park according the planned date and time).

In the sphere of safety and comfort improvement the following tasks are determined: • security training for personnel and giving a clue to tourist what the security is; • elaboration rescue plans and first-aid medical aid plans to injured visitors; • informing tourists about rules of behavior and the safety measures on routes; • improvement of tourist comfort (correct information, professional guides and high quality of service, transport, communication). • elaboration of legislation; • security training for personnel.

3.9. Marketing and promotion

Long-term objective: elaboration of the tourist products promotion

High quality and ready tourist products are necessary for effective marketing. “Image” which is being sold within tour packages should correspond to reality. The following primary tasks are planned in this area: • printing of promotional materials for visitors:

- illustrated brochures and booklets; - maps on trails and routes; - posters and leaflets; - videos; - souvenir items (cards, calendars, T-shirts, badges, etc.);

• improvement of cooperation with Russian and foreign travel agencies for tourist products development and marketing; • participation in the international travel fairs and exhibitions; • setting up the information system on the basis of non-commercial partnership «Pskov Tourism Development Center», tourist information centers of the Leningrad region and the city of Ivangorod: a) for ecological, cultural, historical, geological, etc. sights; b) for routes and tours; c) for tourist accommodation means; d) for tourist transport means; e) for promotional materials; • publications in newspapers/magazines, TV programs and radio broadcasts about the nature, ecotourism and ecological excursions for local population and visitors of the region; • partnership with Russian travel agencies whose activities meet the interests of protected territories;

• partnership with leading foreign travel agencies, universities, etc., which are engaged in ecological tourism. Presentations, delivery of promotional materials, press releases, test-tours, etc.; • corporate participation in the international fairs devoted to ecological tourism.

3.10. Hygiene and preservation of environment

Long-term objective: development of ecotourism according to international standards on harmless basis

Ecotourism should meet the requirements of high international standards and should not damage nature of protected territories. General hygiene of tourist service in parks and reserves should also meet the requirement. Nowadays the basic problems are unhygienic toilets, lack of sewerage and water recycling at many tourist objects. The following primary tasks are planned in this sphere: • Consideration of all environmental issues and principles of sustainable development in the course of planning and implementation of all tourist projects; • improvement of service hygiene in all tourist objects; • evaluation of maximum permissible loadings on trails and routes, elaboration of recommendations on optimal ways of tours and excursions, definition of ways for minimization of negative impacts; • elaboration of the visitors’ behavior rules with the purpose of damage prevention to natural complexes and objects; • equipping of infrastructure objects with technical means for effective recycling of waste products and water, usage of alternative sources of energy.

3.11. Cooperation with local population and business

Long-term objectives: involvement of local population and entrepreneurs into the tourist service sphere, involvement of private capital into investment of ecotourism

Active involvement of private capital and business for construction and management of tourist objects (including development of service sphere) is essential for effective development of ecotourism. Authorities and parks administrations should control only the sphere of licensing and certification of tourist services, control tourist number according to maximum norms of permissible loads on the nature, as well as management of highway infrastructure, communication, visit-centers and faraway accommodation objects for tourists. The sphere of marketing and promotion of tourist product as well as elaboration and sale of tour packages should be implemented by private businesses (travel agencies) on the basis of special agreements with reserves’ administrations.

The following primary tasks are planned in the sphere of business: • involvement of private capital into investment of ecotourism in national parks and reserves; dominant development of private business in the tourism and service sphere; • enhancing of local cooperation between municipal government, travel agencies and entrepreneurs;

• development of business in the tourism and service businesses, involving various groups of local population into this process;

Involvement of local population is one of the major components of ecotourism development in the modern world. The following objectives are primary steps to be taken in this direction: • informing local population about programs and plans for the ecological tourism development through local mass-media; • carrying out sociological surveys, interviews and discussions with local population with the purpose of revealing local interest and participation of local population in tourist activities; • determination of potential participants of ecotourism development: those who are ready to provide accommodation, transport, guide, souvenir production, food stuff, etc.; • identification of best ways of local residents participation in ecotourism activities and ways of their practical involvement; • training work-shops for the local residents willing to take part in ecotourism activities; implementation of "micro-crediting" programs, etc.; • assistance to the development of souvenir crafts and to the promotion of souvenir production at the market. Setting up craft shops using facilities of national parks and reserves.

THE CONCLUSION

This work gives the basic concept approaches and ways of ecotourism development. It is supposed to be the basic document for the development and implementation of regional programs and some pilot projects of tourism development. Step-by-step implementation of the Strategy will let to turn ecotourism into a significant branch of social and economic development of the Pskov and the Leningrad regions located in Peipus/Pskov lakeland in Northwest Russia.

RECOMMENDED PRIME ACTIONS on the elaboration of ecological tourism in Peipus/Pskov lake land for the period of 2005-2008

Period of Recommended actions Responsible actor implementation

1. Implementation of system inventory and 2005 Municipalities analysis of present day tourism infrastructure (accommodation objects, trails, access roads, transport, communication, etc.); identification of requirements in infrastructure development in Pskov, Gdov, Pechory municipalities of the Pskov region; Slantsy, Kingisepp municipalities and in Ivangorod city of the Leningrad region.

2. Elaboration of Investment program on the 2005 Municipalities development of infrastructure in municipalities and submitting of the program to consideration of regional authorities

3. Elaboration of a package of perspective 2005-2006 Municipalities investment projects in the sphere of ecological tourism development

4. Inventory of historical and cultural heritage 2005-2006 Culture authorities and elaboration of Strategy on preservation and use of historical and cultural heritage in ecotourism development

5. Elaboration of professional standards and 2004-2005 Universities and system of non-stop training for travel business colleges related to personnel in the sphere of tourist service and tourism management.

6. Elaboration of test tours for each area and 2005-2008 Tourism testing them authorities, tourist information offices, travel agencies

7. Setting up a package of highly competitive 2005-2008 Tourism tours, including network tours and link tours authorities, tourist information offices, travel agencies

8. Elaboration of quality standards and the 2004-2005 Certification offices system of voluntary certification of ecotourism services

9. Elaboration of plans of rescue activities and 2004-2005 Departments of medical first-aid activities to injured visitors the Ministry of

Period of Recommended actions Responsible actor implementation

Emergency Situations 10. Preparation of a united package of promotional 2005-2008 tourist information information materials about opportunities of offices, travel ecotourism; publication of the following agencies materials: • promotion poster • map showing tourist routes and trails • guidebook • booklets on ecotourism under common design and style • CD representing opportunities of ecotourism

11. Elaboration of ecotourism programs catalogue 2005-2008 Northwest of for promotion at Russian and international department of travel markets. Placing catalogue in the Russian Tourist Internet; Board (RATA), tourist information offices, travel agencies

12. Publications in newspapers/magazines, TV 2005-2008 tourist information programs and radio broadcasts about the offices nature of national parks and reserves. Ecotourism and ecological excursions for visitors and locals

13. Publication of articles in foreign travel editions 2005-2008 tourist information devoted to nature and ecotourism offices

14. Partnership with Russian travel agencies 2004-2008 travel agencies engaged in ecotourism development

15. Partnership with foreign travel agencies, 2005-2008 Northwest universities, etc., engaged in ecological department of tourism. Presentations, delivery of promotional Russian Tourist materials, press releases, test tours, etc. Board (RATA), tourist information offices

16. Corporate participation in international fairs 2005-2008 Tourism devoted to ecological tourism authorities, tourist information offices, travel agencies

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