Karelia Region for 2006’ programme. Th e starting point of the project was to support growth-oriented rural tourism companies through product development and marketing, with a view to tourism marketing for Russia. Th e essential activities of the project would be establishing new tourism products (incentive products) and marketing and sales of existing rural tourism products to Russia, further developing the rental system for cabins, and increasing the quality of cabins to meet the needs and demands of Russian tourists. Th e quantitative goals of the project included increasing tourism revenues, increasing the number of Russian overnight stays and lengthening the travel season to accommodate Russian tourists.