1.5 million tourists expected to visit Kazan by the end of 2013

Despite a threefold increase in the number of visitors as compared to 2006, the tourism potential of the Republic of Tatarstan capital is even higher, says I. Metshin.

(KZN.RU, December 15, by Taisiya Basharkina) 1.5 million tourists are estimated to have visited Kazan this year. Thanks to the Universiade, the tourist flow to Kazan has grown by 25%. But despite the seriousness of the achieved results, the Kazan tourism industry must set even more ambitious goals, said Mayor Ilsur Metshin at today's staff meeting.

" Before the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona received one million tourists a year; today the number is 20 million. We need to follow the strongest and set more ambitious goals by studying the best foreign tourism experience," said I. Metshin commenting on Kazan's achievements in 2013. He recalled that in 2006 the capital of Tatarstan was visited by 460-480 thousand tourists, so the growth is obvious.

Ivan Kadoshnikov, chairman of the Committee for External Relations and Tourism, spoke about the development of the tourism industry in Kazan and mentioned the successful launch of double-decker sightseeing buses. Mr. I.Kadoshnikov added that in the new tourist season, a second sightseeing bus route across the river Kazanka will be launched. Water-boat sightseeing will also be started in the coming season.

According to forecasts, the tourist flow to Kazan has increased by 25% in 2013, having reached 1.5 million visitors.