Douglas, no disrespect but as has been said many times, we are a minority group (admittedly comparatively large). Our interest is very much centred on the Russian monarchy - more specifically the last IF. In my experience Russians are not hugely interested themselves and if Russia is to truly tap into the vast incomes tourism can bring, then it needs to have wider appeal than just Romanov addicts.
The Catherine Palace will always be the significant draw at Tsarskoe because it is impressive in size and a beautiful spectacle which conjures up everything a tourist would like to associate with the Tsars - rich Rococo covered in gold and screaming opulence. For the majority of us forum users a far more poignant and tangible link with the last IF is more appealing.
The Alexander Palace is not really significant in terms of design/beauty/scale/historical context - as much as I and most of the forum would like to think it is. It will never be a massive tourist draw. It's charm and significance is almost entirely based around Nicohlas & Alexandra, OTMA & A, Rasputin etc. I adore the place, I would go back every year if I could, but plainly speaking to the vast majority it's not Giza, The Colosseum, Versailles or even Peterhof. I love it just the way it is, simple, without crowds or fuss and that makes the IF far more tangible than some recreation. The only caveat being the desperate need to repair and maintain the fabric of the building as it stands.
As always I've waffled rather - so please excuse me that. We should always remember that we have a very specific interest and that to the vast majority of people the IF are a complete unknown. The Alexander Palace is not the answer in terms of creating a tourist hotbed - and I very much hope it never will be.
