This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of the publication is the sole responsibility of City of Lieksa and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Tourism is considered a priority for the mid- and long-term socio-economic development of the Muezersky District.
The factors favouring tourism development in the district are:
good ecological situation, no heavy metal pollution, gaseous emissions within MPC;
gateway location and vicinity of popular tourist routes in the Ruuna area, Finland;
numerous cultural, historical, natural and geological monuments in the district;
family relationships between people in Finland and in the district;
sites of past military action (nostalgic, military history and patriotic tourism).
Table 1. Priority types of tourism to be developed in the Muezersky District, and their target groups
Trends in tourism development
Kinds of tourism and tourist products
Target groups
Thematic and special-interest tourism
Excursions to traditional Karelian villages
People interested in national traditions and history, scientists, researchers
Participation in folklore and national festivals and events
People interested in national traditions and history, scientists, researchers, seminar and conference participants, cultural delegations
Ecotourism and visits to protected areas
Groups and individuals interested in ecology, schoolchildren and students
Culture- and history-based tourism
Scientists and researchers, academic groups, participants of military campaigns, seminar participants and official delegations
Walking nature tours
Academic groups, tourist clubs, individuals
Hobby-oriented tourism (fishing, hunting, "snow" safari, berry and mushroom picking)
Groups and individuals coming to fish, hunt, pick berries, mushrooms, medicinal plants, etc.
Sport tourism (skiing, water tours, whitewater rafting, bicycle tours, orienteering)
Sportsman groups, individuals, participants of sport competitions, skiing enthusiasts, adventure tourists, orienteering groups, youth groups
Business travel
Organisation of scientific and academic events
Academic groups, scientists and researchers, participants of workshops, conferences, symposia, scientific expeditions
Business trips
People on business trips, members of official delegations, negotiators, scientists, entrepreneurs
Other types of tourism
Bonus, health and recreational tourism
Groups from enterprises and establishments with fixed-period vacation packages, active recreation enthusiasts, individuals in search of recreation and entertainment
Visiting relatives and vacations at hosting families
Small groups and individuals visiting relatives, personally invited tourists