Establishment of a working group to develop the tourism in the Arctic

Russiatourism has created in the national and international markets a working group on tourism development in the Russian Arctic zone.

As specified, the new institutional body was formed to resolve issues on creating a tourist infrastructure in the Arctic to develop the Russian Arctic zone and ensure the national security for the period up to 2020.

The head of the Federal Agency for Tourism Oleg Safonov was appointed the chairman of the working group.

The working group included representatives of the Russiatourism, administrations of the Russian subjects in the Arctic zone and regional executive authorities in the field of tourism, as well as members of the Russian Geographical Society and the Association of polar explorers. It is planned that the first meeting of the working group will be held on November 24, 2018 in Vorkuta as part of the III International Tourist Forum “Accessible Arctic”.

“Creating conditions for tourism in the Arctic zone of Russia and the wide promotion of the tourist potential of this region is very important for the socio-economic development of the northern territories of the country and the preservation of unique Arctic ecosystems,” Safonov stressed.

It must be recalled that the unique nature in its beauty and the majestic landscapes of the Russian polar region attract tourists and are the basis for Arctic tourism. Recently, Arctic cruises have become increasingly popular. “For example, there have been almost no tourists in Franz Josef Land recently. Today, more than two thousand people visit the archipelago every year,” the head of Russiatourism noted.