In Irkutsk, an updated tourist information service was presented, now operating as an independent budget institution and helping visitors choose hotels, routes, and useful stay information.
Alexey Almukhamedov noted: “The Information and Tourist Service is an important tool of the hospitality industry. Irkutsk should become not only an interesting city for tourists, but also a convenient one. The ITS’s task is to help the city’s guests orient themselves in choosing hotels and hostels, and to select the most interesting route. In creating such information services, Irkutsk is keeping pace with other cities. We hope that up to 10,000–15,000 people a year will use the services of the updated office, and that all of them will be satisfied with their visit to the city.”The new institution has its own history. The ITS began its work in 2009. On the first floor of the administrative building of the municipal institution “House of Europe,” a workplace for one specialist and an information desk were set up. During its formative period, the service demonstrated its importance and demand among tourists. In 2012, more than 1,800 guests of the city visited the office. This made it necessary to further develop the service and expand its areas of activity in tourism development. That is why the Irkutsk city administration decided to create an independent budgetary institution, expand the service staff, and provide it with new premises.
As of today, the ITS is officially registered as a budgetary institution, has a staff of 4 employees, and is funded from the budget within the framework of the city tourism development program. The service includes specialists who speak English, Chinese, and French.
As the head of the Municipal Budgetary Institution “Information and Tourist Service,” Denis Banshchikov, said, visitors to the office can receive detailed consultations on staying in Irkutsk, get city maps and guidebooks free of charge, and use Internet access. All services are provided free of charge. In addition, by the start of the tourist season, the ITS website (www.irkvisit.info) will begin operating, containing information about Irkutsk’s tourist opportunities.
“In the near future, the ITS will work to promote the city’s image at international tourism exhibitions, as well as take part in the development of the street navigation system,” Denis Banshchikov noted.
Guests at the presentation wished the ITS office staff successful work and “seven feet under the keel.” On the day of the celebration, balloons were released into the sky, and the head of the ITS, Denis Banshchikov, was presented with a symbolic gift in the form of a frigate bearing the “ i ” sign.
Press Service of the Irkutsk City Administration