OREANDA-NEWS. On December 19, 2007 Intourist Group of Companies, a leading universal operator in Russian tourist market, announced the completion of the first phase construction of tourist complex "Altai", reported the press-centre of Sistema.

The complex is situated in Mayaminsky district of the Altai Republic.    LLC "Stepankovo" (100% of the stock belongs to Intourist VAO) leased the ground area on a long term basis. The grand opening of the tourist complex for 22 people will take place at the end of December, 2007. The sum of investment to the project is $5,4 million.

The unique environment of the Altai Republic gives lots of opportunities for tourism development. Taking into account the growing demand of Russian tourists for leisure in ecologically clean districts, Intourist plans to construct the resort-hotel complex "Altai-Resort".

It will include the hotel with 200 rooms and 15 cottages with 40 rooms, an artificial lake and mountain-skiing infrastructure. The construction is scheduled to finish in the forth quarter of 2009.

Alexander Arutyunov, the President of Intourist VAO, says: "It is necessary to create new tourist routes for active development of inbound and domestic tourism. Taking into account the unique environment of the Altai Republic, the district has a great potential for eco-tourism development. Constructing the resort-hotel complex "Altai-Resort", Intourist promotes the tourist opportunities of the district and  attracts to the Altai Republic both Russian and foreign tourists".