KIEV, Dec. 21 - The Chernobyl zone and the zone of alienation will be open for tourists from January 2011.

"There is a huge demand, people want to go there, they want to hear, see and find out, which is why we decided to work out such a mechanism that would allow for organized systemic visits to the zone," Oksana Nor, General Director at Chernobyl Interinform, told a press conference in Kiev on Tuesday.

All necessary studies have been carried out and measurements taken in the containment area, based on which a number of tourist itineraries have been worked out, she said. The next stage will be signing contracts with travel agencies that will bring tourists to the zone of alienation, she said.