Development of tourism in the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation: the environmental aspect

Abstract

The article considers the opportunities for the development of tourism in the regions of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation in the environmental aspect. The authors examine the existing problems of the development of Arctic tourism in the Russian Federation, which include: low attractiveness of Arctic tourism for most Russian tourists, large investments with a long payback period, unacceptability of anthropogenic impact on the Arctic ecosystem, lack of modern passenger terminals, difficult transport accessibility of locations with specially protected natural areas. Analyzing the foreign experience of tourism development in the Arctic territories, the authors offer recommendations for the development of tourism in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. It also includes: support for indigenous peoples of the Arctic in order to increase employment of indigenous peoples while preserving their lifestyle, habits, and culture; assistance in cooperation and interaction with PR and marketing agencies, as well as design studios for creation of new souvenir lines; assistance in organizing excursions acquainting with the life of local residents, their traditional cuisine and local rituals, conducting educational seminars, organizing events for temporary residence in families of indigenous minorities; creation of information and tourist centers; development of events, ethnographic, and environmental types of tourism, intra-city tourism, addressing the lack of modern accommodation facilities and transport accessibility; assessment of environmental potential of specially protected natural areas in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, so that the latter do not suffer from an influx of visitors; building of electric and hybrid polar expedition ships.