YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, November 17. /TASS/. The government of the Sakhalin region plans to allocate 1.656 billion rubles (roughly $25.5 mln) for tourism development in 2017-2019, head of the regional agency for tourism Natalya Osipova told TASS.

These funds will be used, first and foremost, for implementing tourism infrastructure development projects. They include the construction of a tourist complex on the shores of Lake Tunaicha, two holiday centers on the Moneron island and a recreation center in the Goryachiye Klyuchi settlement in the Nogliksky city district. There facilities are planned to be put into operation in 2019. “The construction of these facilities will facilitate the development of ecological, balneological and nautical tourism as well as fishing activities,” Osipova noted.

“In winter tourists visit the mountain ski resort in the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk city center, there are enough hotels and everything is fine. But in summer the situation changes for the worse since only 15 percent of tourists are backpackers while others need infrastructure to travel in comfort. We will build tourist complexes in order to come up with some summer tourism products and expand our capacities in tourism,” she added.

Lake Tunaicha, the second largest on the Sakhalin island, is a regional natural landmark. A total of 29 species of fish, including salmon stocks, live in the lake. There are large bird colonies on its shores. White-tailed eagles, swans and other birds and animals inhabit the area.

The island of Moneron, located 43 kilometers southwest of Sakhalin, is famous for its waterfalls, columnar rocks and wildlife. There is a seal rookery as well as numerous bird colonies on its shores.

The Daginskiye thermal springs, located near the Goryachiye Klyuchi settlement in the north east of Sakhalin, are considered to be unique. Their water is used to cure neurite, radiculitis, osteochondrosis, skin deceases and some gynaecological problems.