A governor in Russia's Far East on Wednesday signed an agreement with his counterparts in neighboring Asian countries to develop tourism in the northeast of the continent.
The deal was inked during a meeting between the Primorye region's governor, Vladimir Miklushevsky, and regional heads from Japan, China, Mongolia and South Korea at an international summit in Vladivostok, Interfax reported.
The agreement is aimed at attracting up to 12 million tourists per year to Primorye, and encouraging economic and cultural development in the region.
Primorye's infrastructure will be upgraded as part of the deal.
A modern international airport, sea ports, developed railroad system and hospitality facilities will make the region more attractive to tourists, Miklushevsky said.
"Tourist organizations have already developed over 300 routes in Primorye," he said. "We are planning to buy modern light aircraft that can fly across the region, and to the most difficult to reach areas in the north. I am sure this will assist the growth of the? tourism? throughout our region," he said.
The new infrastructure will even attract visitors from European and the United States, the deputy governor of South Korea's Gangwon province said.
The document was signed during the 18th summit on international exchange and cooperation of regional administrations of Northeast Asian countries.