IZHEVSK, Russia, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Udmurt Republic hopes to attract more Chinese visitors by promoting its cultural heritage, industrial history, and culinary traditions, Acting Tourism Minister Irina Ulyenko said Wednesday.
Located between the Volga River basin and the western slopes of the Ural Mountains, Udmurtia is the birthplace of composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the home of the Kalashnikov rifle, a region known for its defense industry.
The Udmurt people, an ethnic minority, have distinctive traditions, including a love for dumplings and flour-based foods. The republic celebrates an annual Dumpling Day -- a cultural link Ulyenko said could resonate with Chinese tourists.
In an interview with Xinhua, Ulyenko said the region has added Chinese-language signs at many attractions and public places to help visitors feel at home.
"We are implementing 'China-friendly' standards in some hotels, such as creating special floors for Chinese guests, with all facilities marked in Chinese and items labeled in Chinese," she said.
The republic is also actively training Chinese-speaking translators and guides, she added.
Local universities, in cooperation with the government, encourage Chinese students studying in Udmurtia to pursue tourism-related programs. Authorities are also preparing subsidies for travel agencies that cater to Chinese tourists.
Ulyenko said the region has already promoted its attractions at Chinese tourism fairs, focusing on cultural products linked to Tchaikovsky, the Kalashnikov rifle, and Udmurt cuisine. Health resorts and outdoor recreation are also part of the offerings.
"We believe these tourism products will spark interest in the Chinese market, and we look forward to more Chinese tourists visiting," Ulyenko said.
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