The document discusses tourism potential and projects in the Kaliningrad region of Russia. It outlines the region's natural attractions like diverse ecosystems and unique plant and animal species. It then summarizes several past and current EU-funded cross-border cooperation projects between Kaliningrad, Lithuania, and Poland that aimed to develop tourism infrastructure and cultural heritage sites, create tourism routes and strategies, and increase cooperation around sustainable tourism development in the region. The document concludes by outlining the objectives of an ongoing project called CROSSROADS 2.0 that continues work on developing tourism around the region's shared cultural history and lagoon areas.

1. Dr. Elena Kropinova,
Assocate Prof., I.Kant Baltic Federal University,
(prepared with Anna Belova,
I.Kant Baltic Federal University
Gdansk, 14-15 January, 2013

2. Tourism potential
of the Kaliningrad region
Direct:
• Wild Nature
• Rich biodiversity of unique species of animals and
plants (some of which are included in the “Red book”)
• Diverse ecosystems (bogs, marshes, littoral meadows,
etc.)
Complementary:
- Ethno-cultural heritage
- Information centers for eco-tourism
- Eco-tourism infrastructure and eco-routes

3. Tourism potential of
Kaliningrad region
Tourism map of Kaliningrad region (The Geographical Atlas of Kaliningrad
region)

4. Kaliningrad region in EU tourism
projects
Programmes of cooperation
Finished programmes:
- Baltic Sea Region Neighbourhood Programme
INTERREG III B/TACIS (2000 – 2006)- … tourism
projects
- “Lithuania – Poland – Kaliningrad region of Russian
Federation” Neighbourhood Programme INTERREG
III A/TACIS (2004-2006)- tourism projects projects

5. Baltic Sea Region Neighbourhood Programme
INTERREG III B/TACIS (2000 – 2006)
Project: “Lagomar - natural and cultural heritage in the southern
Baltic Sea: Challenges and Prospects” (Results: The result of the
project was to create a network within which the exchange of
knowledge and experience in the study of the historical building bays.)
Project: “AGORA - the sustainable tourism development in the
Baltic Sea Region” (Results: Network Sustainable Tourism
Development in the Baltic Sea Region» achieved impressive results in
the coordination of sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea region. It
resulted in increased level of cooperation and quality of tourism in the
region also prepared a strategy for sustainable tourism in the Baltic Sea
region. )
Project “VBNDZ” – “Via Baltica Nordica Development Zone”.
(Results: The foci of the project activities concentrated on: tourism and
railway traffic, cultural landscape management and tourism, usage of
GIS/Internet systems. The project was a combination of concrete, very
local activities and the true transnational dimension, insured by the
forum to be organised regularly. The project implemented a
development strategy created for the Zone as a main outcome of the

6. Baltic Sea Region Neighbourhood Programme
INTERREG III B/TACIS (2000 – 2006)
Project “BWC” – “Baltic Welcome Center for a high quality sustainable
development of cities and regions in the BSR in the frame of spatial
planning aspects”. (Results: Handbook on service quality standards &
guidelines for tourist information and visitor centres in the Baltic Sea Region
was issued; New IT-solutions were developed by the project including the
common BWC portal – a virtual visitor centre that provides access to detailed
tourist information produced and updated by the partner organisations.).
Project “BalticFortRoute” – “Baltic Culture and Tourism Route
Fortresses”. (Results: The innovative project developed new
marketing instruments and economic concepts for cultural and tourist
utilization. It promoted transnational scientific cooperation in
monument protection as well as creating strategies of reconstruction
and nature management.)

7. Baltic Sea Region Neighbourhood Programme
INTERREG III B/TACIS (2000 – 2006)
Project “Castle Tomorrow” – “Development of castles and manor houses of
BSR as cultural heritage objects and town centers in rural areas”.
(Results: Handbook of Tools for Sustainable Heritage Conservation: basic
teaching, information and learning resource. Version in LT,LV,EE, PL, RU;
Videos gallery on Industry Best Practice objects and Pilot sites from the
project; Model for cultural heritage objects development.)
Project “Seagull” – “Seagull-DevERB”. (Results: Cruise Tourism in the Baltic
and Bothnian Sea – a pilot study on maritime tourism was prepared and
published; Joint Development Programme Strategy was prepared.)
Project “Seagull II” – “Russian component of the Development Strategy for
Euroregion “Baltic” (Results: The book “Perspectives for development of
interregional cooperation: Kaliningrad region within Euroregion Baltic” was
issued in RU and EN languages.)

8. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF
NP INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “Reconstruction of international Amber Route – first stage
in Pruszcz Gdanski. (Results:Construction and making of 1500
meters of amber path for pedestrians and byciclists as well as setting
up the Baltic International cultural park in Pruszcz Gdanski, Poland,
which is the first point of the link connecting Poland, Kaliningrad
region and Lithuania.)
Project “Enhancement of Cultural Tourism infrastructure through
New Culture and Education Facility”. (Results: The historic
building in Goldap was renovated and equipped to serve as the
international cultural and educational center.)
Project “Cultural and Historical heritage use for tourism purposes
in Pagegiai, Ilawa and Sovetsk borderline regions”. (Results: The
quay was constructed and the park was renovated in Pagegiai
municipality, the memorial of Bering in Ilawa was restorated)

9. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF NP
INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “Development of structures promoting historical heritage
in Sopot, Gdansk, Svetlogorsk and Ozersk”. (Results: New
equipment for museums in Sopot, Gdansk and Svetlogorsk was
purchased, archaeological research camp for young people was
organised in Ozersk, the concept of the open-air museum
“Georgenswalde” for Brachert museum in Svetlogorsk was developed).
Project “Development of tourism on base of European square in
Suwalki and Miesto Sodas in Alitus”. (Results: The infrastructure
objects were renovated (European square in Suwalki, park in Alitus),
six trilateral culture events were conducted in Suwalki and Alitus. )
Project “Creation of cross-border bicycle trail along old post road
on Curonian Spit: EUROVELO-BALTICA”. (Results: The technical
documentation for construction the bicycle path on the Russian part of
Curonian Spit was developed, the number of seminars, conferences and
workshops on tourism development on Curonian Spit were organised
and conducted.)

10. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF NP
INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “Tourism infrastructure for Berlin-Kaliningrad-Klaipeda
waterway in Tczew and Klaipeda”. (Results: the sailing and
passenger port in Tczew was constructed, feasibility study for
construction of bicycle paths in port of Klaipeda was developed.)
Project “Support to development of common recreation space in
macro-region”. (Results: the tourism information center in
Kaliningrad was opened; the fundaments of the Kaliningrad tourism
promotion strategy was developed; Palanga resort was promoted
among the tourists from Russia.)

11. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF NP
INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “Harmonising Development of landscape: formation of
environment of tourism objects by implanting new plants”.
(Results: Five Lithuanian parks and seven Russian parks have been
examinated and the plants for decorating them were planted; the
fontane in Kaliningrad Botanic garden was reconstructed; database of
tourist attractions and plants was created; technical documentation
for establishing a laboratory within the Botanical garden of the
Klaipeda University was prepared.)
Project “Development of tourism in frontier areas by means of
preservation of valuable plants of wild flora”. (Results:The map
of the rare plants of the border area was created; ecological paths were
developed by project partners.)

12. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF NP
INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “On trail of castles in Baltic Sea Region –
Revitalization and promotion objects”. (Results: The
Strategy for tourism development at nine Gothic Castles in
the Kaliningrad region was prepared; technical
documentation for the renovation and conservation of the
castle in Polessk (Labiau) was elaborated; four-lingual
publications about the castles were issued and disseminated
among tourism information offices in RU, PL and LT.)
Project “Opening of water tourism route connection in
Curonian lagoon: Klaipeda-Kaliningrad”. (Results: The
international water tourism route from Klaipeda to Nida
(LT) was opened; the promotion activities in order to review
water tourism in the Curonian lagoon between Klaipeda and
Kaliningrad were conducted.)

13. Lithuania-Poland-Kaliningrad oblast of RF NP
INTERREG III A/TACIS (2004-2006)
Project “Development of common cultural sphere of Euroregion
Nemunas”. (Results: Two cultural centers opened in Russia: the
branch of the Historical and Artistic museum of Kaliningrad in Nesterov
district, Chistyje Prudy village and the center in the Cherniahovsk old
castle; a number of cultural tourism promotion matherials (including
6000 maps) were published; commom cultural tourism strategy was
drawn.)
Project “CROSSROADS” – “Lagoons as cultural and historical
crossroads of peoples in South-Eastern Baltic area”. (Results:
Number of expeditions along lagoons’ area were organised; the cultural
and historical objects were registered; digital exhibitions were
developed and presented on info-terminals;the Strategy and Action Plan
for development of maritime cultural and historical heritage for the
Russian part of Curonian and Vistula lagoons’ area were elaborated;
technical documentation for construction of an open-air museum of
Viking epoch on the Curonian Spit was developed; two festivals of
historical reconstruction of viking epoch were conducted in
Zelenogradsk district.)

14. CROSSROADS

15. Baltic Sea Region Programme
2007-2013.
Project “AGORA 2.0” – “Heritage Tourism for Increased Baltic Sea
Region Identity”.
Implementation period: 2010-2013.
Project goal: improving the common identity of the Baltic Sea Region,
based on its rich natural and cultural treasures.
Results:
Analyses on heritage tourism objects of the partner countries were
prepared; survey on tourism perception in Curonian Spit (KO part of
the project) and in BSR in general was made and results were
published; tourism portal BASTIS was created.

16. Baltic Sea Region Programme
2007-2013.
Project “EcoRegion” – “The Baltic 21 Eco Region project”.
Implementation period: 2009-2012.
Project goal: Promoting the Baltic Sea Region in the first
environmentally and economically sustainable region in the world.
Results: (for Kaliningrad region)
Analysis of ecotourism potential of the pilot districts (Vistula and
Curonian lagoons costal area) was made; Map of the eco-routes within
the Vistula and Curonian lagoons costal area (existing and potential)
was created; The role of eco-tourism for sustainable development of
Kaliningrad region as one of the Eco-regions in the BSR was
described.

17. Eco Region

18. Current Projects (signed grant contracts)
Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme 2007-2013: LPR1/010/181
Title of the project: Baltic Touristic Games – know-how
for development of tourism potential of Baltic Region
Lead Partner: Palanga Town Municipality Administration
(Lithuania)
Partners: Administration of Svetlogorsk Town (Russian
Federation)
Objectives: to develop sports and active tourism in the
border cooperation area by providing modern sport
infrastructure and development of better conditions for
active tourism.

19. Current Projects
LPR1/010/049
Title of the project: Baltic Amber Coast. Development of
crossborder area through building up and
modernization of tourism infrastructure
Lead Partner: Sztutowo Commune (Poland)
Partners: Krynica Morska Municipality (Poland), Stegna
Commune (Poland), Ustka Municipality (Poland),
Administration of the Municipality “Jantarniy Urban
District” (Russia, Kaliningrad Oblast)
Objectives:to strengthen the tourism potential and increase
tourist traffic in the crossborder cooperation area through
the creation of the tourism product Baltic Amber Coast
and the improvement of maritime tourism infrastructure.

20. Current projects
Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-Border
Cooperation Programme 2007-2013: LPR1/010/044
Title of the project: Baltic Amber Coast. Development of
the Cross-border Area through Building up and
Modernisation of Tourism Infrastructure. Part II.
Lead Partner: Administration of "Yantarny Urban
District" Municipality (Russia)
Partners: Sztutowo Commune (Poland), Stegna
Commune (Poland), Krynica Morska Municipality
(Poland), Ustka Municipality (Poland)
Objectives: to contribute to the development of the tourist
potential in the Programme area through improvement of
capacity of tourism infrastructure in Yantarny
municipality (Russia) and integration of Yantarny into
tourist routes network.

21. Current projects
Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme 2007-2013: LPR1/010/060
Title of the project: Museums over the borders
Lead Partner: Museum of Archaeology and History in
Elblag (Poland)
Partners: Museum “Friedland Gate” (Russia)
Objectives: the increasing of the economic potential and
deepening of the integration of the cross-border regions
and promotion of joint innovative tourist products based
on joint cultural heritage.

22. Current projects
Lithuania-Poland-Russia ENPI Cross-Border Cooperation
Programme 2007-2013: LPR1/010/001
Title of the project: "Lagoons as crossroads for tourism and
interactions of peoples of South-East Baltic: from the history to
present (CROSSROADS 2.0)"
Lead Partner: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Russia)
Partners: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Russia),
Kaliningrad Regional Museum of History and Arts (Russia),
Kaliningrad regional youth public organisation “Traditional group
“Speaking Water” (Russia), Administration of Federal State
Establishment “National park “Curonian Spit” (Russia), Administration
of Zelenogradsk district authority (Russia), Agency for Tourism of
Kaliningrad region (Russia), The “Elblag-Europa” Association (Poland),
Scientific Association “Pruthenia” (Poland), Folk Architecture Museum
and Ethnographic Park in Olsztynek (Poland), Polish Maritime
Museum in Gdansk (Poland), European Found for Monument
Protection (Poland), Administration of Neringa Municipality
(Lithuania), Klaipeda University (Lithuania)

23. CROSSROADS 2.0 - Lagoons as crossroads for tourism and
interactions of peoples of South-East Baltic: from the history to
present.
Project objectives:
1. Preparation and implementation of small-scale investments into
development and renovation of existing and creation of new objects of
innovative tourism infrastructure, which are based on the rich and
unique common cultural and historical heritage of the cross-border
area and allow to use this heritage for the joint creation of the cross-
border tourist products contributing to the regional growth;
2. Strengthening the collaboration between people, NGOs and local
authorities and support of joint actions in the sphere of development,
promotion and quality improvement of the tourist products in the
cross-border area of Vistula and Curonian lagoons.
3. Implementation of joint actions aimed at protection and sustainable
use of cultural and historical heritage of cross-border area of
Lithuania, Poland and Kaliningrad region of Russian Federation
adjacent to the Curonian and Vistula lagoons

24. Thank you for your attention!
Hope for fruitful cooperation
within our common
started project!
Elena Kropinova
e-mail: kropinova@mail.ru
picture by Beti