Magic of Sakhalin and Kurils, as remote islands attract tourists with unique baths

Russia's health minister Veronika Skvortsova is backing the move to develop thermal springs and mineral waters in the Russian Far East.

'Sakhalin, which has specific natural resources, is very important in development of resorts and recreational zones,' she said on Sunday. 'Our plans are to restore all the resorts, which used to be working and well-known in the Soviet times,' added acting governor Oleg Kozhemyako.

Unusually, the Sakhalin boasts practically all known types of thermal and mineral waters. There are eight types of mineral waters worldwide, and six of them are in Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands, reported TASS. 

A key new development is Green Lake Resort on Iturup Island in the Kurils, which is to be promoted at the upcoming Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.