Current Status and Development Prospects of Arctic Tourism

   Modern ideas about the Arctic are being transformed, now it should be considered as a region that has not only geopolitical and geo-economic, but also socio-cultural, tourist and recreational significance. With the development of various spheres and types of tourism, it became necessary to search for or create new attractive destinations. Arctic tourism opens up opportunities for the effective use of diverse natural, socio-economic potential, cultural and historical heritage, and the involvement of local communities in economic processes. This article identifies the features characteristic of the Arctic that affect the tourism industry, the dominant segments of the tourism market, and both positive and negative economic consequences of tourism development in the Arctic territories. Tourism in the North of the Russian Federation is developing quite steadily, but unevenly, incomes from it are very small compared to other northern states; however, there are enough opportunities to improve the current situation with proper planning, which should be based on the results of scientific research, as well as a comprehensive improvement of infrastructure northern territories. In addition to the remoteness and size of the territories of the northern regions and their harsh climatic conditions, the main obstacles to increasing the attractiveness and full development of Arctic tourism in the Russian Federation are the underdevelopment of infrastructure, the high cost of tourist services, the lack of information about available proposals, and weak interest from investors and management structures. Overcoming at least some of these problems and restrictions will have a positive impact on tourism activities and stimulate the development of entrepreneurial activity in this area.

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