What hinders the development of Arctic tourism

The development of Arctic tourism is a long way, but promising. According to the majority of Russian residents, the Arctic is an attractive region for travel. However, trips to the Arctic regions are hindered by the high cost of travel, the harsh climatic conditions of the Far North and low transport accessibility.

Last year, only 15% of Russian tourists visited the Arctic Circle.

EXTERNAL BARRIERS

The All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion conducted a survey on the tourist attractiveness of the Russian North.

According to the respondents, the development of northern tourism is hindered primarily by external and internal barriers, which 80% and 62% of respondents, respectively, paid attention to, as well as the high cost of travel (25%).

Among the external obstacles, the survey participants named the lack of information about the tourist destination, the lack of advertising, poor infrastructure and transport accessibility, the problem of price-quality ratio of service.

Respondents attributed the unfavorable climate of the region to the internal obstacles that hinder travel to the Russian North.

WHAT ATTRACTS

Every second respondent (52%) mentioned the advantages of traveling to non-tourist destinations, including the Russian North. At the same time, the intellectual and aesthetic components of recreation are equally important for the surveyed Russians.

The two most frequent arguments in support of such trips are the opportunity to learn about your country and its history (20%), enjoy the beauty of the region (18%).

The relatively low cost of such trips was noted by 7% of respondents, immersion in local culture, familiarity with the customs and traditions of local residents - 5%. Another 4% said they were interested in such a vacation, the same number noted the desolation of non-tourist places.

Such answers as "immersion in the history of the country" and "natural and cultural diversity" were more often heard from Muscovites and Petersburgers (27% and 24%, respectively).

It turned out to be easier for young people aged 18-34 to name the advantages of trips on non-tourist routes. This group of potential tourists is attracted by beautiful nature, sights, the opportunity to learn the customs and traditions of local residents, as well as the untouchability of places.

In general, 57% of respondents named the presence of a variety of natural and cultural attractions as a motivation for traveling to the northern cities of Russia. The second most popular answer was a variety of excursions at an affordable price, which is attractive to 48% of the survey participants.

The most significant factors when choosing a route through northern cities also included:

the history of the region (45%); transport accessibility of tourist sites (43%); affordable and comfortable accommodation in hotels/hostels (41%); local cuisine (41%).

NAFI RESEARCH

The National Agency for Financial Research (AFI) conducted its own study of the attitude of Russians to tourist trips to the Arctic zone.

As shown by the survey, the results of which were published by the portal goarctic.ru, 84% of Russians consider the Arctic regions attractive for travel. 71% would like to make a trip there in the next 12 months.

Russians show the highest interest in the Republic of Karelia (53%), the Krasnoyarsk Territory (22%), the Arkhangelsk Region (16%), the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – 15% and the Murmansk Region (14%).

To a lesser extent, tourists are attracted by the Komi Republic, Chukotka, Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrugs (4%-7%).

PRO ET CONTRA

Respondents named unusual natural, cultural and historical sights as the key factors of the tourist attractiveness of the Arctic zone.

The rating of impressions for which Russians would like to go beyond the Arctic Circle is headed by visiting unique natural objects, observing unique natural phenomena, the possibility of hunting or fishing (48% each).

In second place is the desire to learn more about the life and way of life of indigenous peoples. 40% of respondents were in favor of this. On the third: organized outdoor recreation (hiking, river descents, climbing mountains, exploring caves) and staying on the seashore (37% each).

Every third respondent stated that he would like to get acquainted with the historical and cultural sights of the Arctic (35%), try extreme activities (skiing/snowboarding, mountaineering, diving and other outdoor activities – 31%) or taste the dishes of the Northern national cuisine (30%).

Among the reasons hindering Arctic tourism, the survey participants named the high cost of tickets, low transport accessibility, harsh climate, lack of awareness.

Every fifth respondent pointed out the difficulties of traveling to the Arctic with young children. 21% of respondents expressed doubt that in case of indisposition or emergencies they will be able to receive prompt and qualified assistance.

The survey participants cited concerns about the local fauna (midges, mosquitoes and others), poor-quality service and lack of cellular communication as other constraining factors.

TOURIST AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS

Elena Voronina, an expert of the Arctic Development Project Office (PORA), Candidate of Economic Sciences, senior researcher at the Institute of System Analysis of the FIT "Informatics and Management" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shared her opinion on the development of polar tourism.

According to Voronina, the presence of cultural-historical and natural-ecological potential of the region provides ample opportunities for the development of tourism.

"The development of Arctic tourism can become a driver both for the diversification of economic activity and for the creation of decent living conditions, which will solve a number of acute problems, for example, the problem of employment, this is especially important for indigenous peoples," says Voronina, whose words are quoted by the goarctic.ru.

The tourism industry in the Russian Arctic, the expert said, is still at the beginning of formation: there is not enough necessary information about recreation opportunities in the Arctic regions, the level of development of tourist, recreational and transport infrastructure is low, besides prices are high.

To overcome the current situation, it is necessary to create conditions for the accelerated development of Arctic tourism, which requires the active implementation of state policy in the field of tourism, Voronina pointed out.

In her opinion, the tasks of the development of Arctic tourism should be solved through the expansion of the tourist offer, the formation of an attractive tourist image and effective interaction with other activities of the Arctic economy (trade, transport, service spheres, cultural development).

The development of Arctic tourism, the expert noted, is facilitated by the creation of tourism clusters, which are a combination of resources of business structures, authorities and organizations providing services in the field of tourism.

For the successful operation of clusters, well-developed transport and communication systems are needed, which makes it possible to improve the infrastructure of the region as a whole. "Accordingly, in the new geopolitical conditions, the successful implementation of tourism policy can have a positive impact on the solution of the strategic task – overcoming restrictions and negative trends in the socio-economic development of the Arctic zone," Voronina convinced.

STATE SUPPORT TOOLS

For her part, Anastasia Korol, the head of the tourism direction of the Norilsk Development Agency, considers it important to introduce the concepts of industrial and paleontological tourism into the legislation, as well as the legalization of sport fishing.

"Within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, I had a good opportunity to present a number of initiatives. One of the proposals is to increase funding for Cluster Development Centers, as our Arctic cluster is growing, and support measures remain in the volumes laid down in 2020. In addition, I focused on the fact that when launching business support programs, it is necessary to take into account the remoteness of settlements in the Arctic zone and the short construction season. We do not have the opportunity to participate in many grant programs, because it is simply impossible to master the funds in such a short period," the King said.

In addition, industry representatives note the need to increase subsidies from 5.000 to 20.000 rubles for organizing children's tours within the framework of the national project "Tourism and the Hospitality Industry" for schoolchildren of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.

All these initiatives are important for our territory and require support at the federal level, said the representative of the Norilsk Development Agency.