MOSCOW, February 28. /TASS/. Tourist flow to the regions of the Russian North and the Arctic in 2024 increased by 7% compared to 2023, reaching 3 million people, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko announced during a working visit to Arkhangelsk and the Solovetsky Islands in the Arkhangelsk Region.
"The number of tourist trips in Russia continues to grow steadily, including in the regions of the Russian North and the Arctic. In 2024 alone, these areas welcomed 3 million visitors, marking a 7% increase compared to 2023. This growth includes both Russian and foreign tourists," Chernyshenko stated, as quoted by his office.
According to the Center for Strategic Research, the Vologda Region and Karelia were the most visited northern areas, accounting for approximately 700,000 trips. Among the Arctic areas, the Murmansk Region became the most popular, attracting nearly 500,000 visitors. Chukotka saw the highest growth in popularity, with tourist numbers more than doubling. Significant increases in tourist trips were also recorded in the Murmansk Region (+18.6% year-on-year), the Krasnoyarsk Region (+16.1%), and Yakutia (+10.6%).
The number of foreign tourists in these regions has nearly doubled, surpassing 75,000. The Murmansk Region received the largest share of these visitors, accounting for 7.7%. Unlike Russian travelers, foreign tourists show equal interest in visiting both the Arctic and the North during both winter and summer, according to Chernyshenko's office.
Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov emphasized that the further growth of tourist traffic to the northern and Arctic regions depends on the development of modern tourist infrastructure.
"Over the past two years, the national project 'Tourism and Hospitality Industry' has allocated more than 570 million rubles to the Arctic zone regions for the creation of modular facilities. Large hotel cites with a total capacity of approximately 1,100 rooms are also being developed with this support. Additionally, we have approved the Paradise-Iz ski resort project in the Polar Urals, which is set to become a major attraction for both Russian and international visitors," Reshetnikov stated.