Special Features of Russian Arctic Tourism

Abstract

In 2021–2023 our country is chairing the Arctic Council, which opens up new opportunities for international dialogue and economic development of the Russian Arctic. The council will discuss a wide range of issues in various areas, including the development of Arctic tourism. The Arctic region is very different from all other regions of our country. On the one hand, it has a unique identity and tourist attraction, but on the other hand, there are many challenges and obstacles to tourism development (remoteness and inaccessibility of the Arctic territories, focal nature of infrastructure, harsh climate, great environmental risks, etc.). The set of current issues in this sphere includes the following aspects: development of environmentally friendly types of tourism, tourist safety, modernization and expansion of tourist infrastructure, personnel policy in the field of tourism, professional marketing of the Arctic territories, international cooperation, etc. A separate topic is the recovery of the tourism business in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The positioning and promotion of the Arctic tourist product is possible only with a comprehensive approach and understanding of the multifaceted tourist potential of the Arctic zone, biological and cultural diversity of the Russian North. An important role in this process can be played by few indigenous people of the Arctic, who should be involved in the ongoing business initiatives aimed not only at generating profits, but also at preserving the unique culture and traditions of these people. The article considers the specific features of the tourism industry in the Arctic zone of Russia, its key problems and further prospects for sustainable development.