International Project Activities as a Tool for Tourism Development in the Russian Arctic

Aim. The study focuses on the analysis of international tourism projects in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation from 2001 to 2024.
Methodology. The exploration of international projects was conducted using a database of the cross-border, transnational, and interregional cooperation programs of the European Union (available at https://keep.eu/). We analyzed 25 international tourism initiatives involving Russian partners located in the Arctic zone during the specified period.
Results. A differentiation among the Arctic regions of the Russian Federation was identified based on their involvement in the international tourism projects. The regions were categorized into four groups: high level (Republic of Karelia), medium level (Murmansk region), low level (Arkhangelsk region and Nenets Autonomous Okrug), and regions with no project activity (Komi Republic and Arctic regions of Siberia). Two primary types of tourism emerged as focal points for the international projects within the Arctic zone: cultural tourism and nature-oriented tourism (ecotourism). The outcomes of international projects, including the establishment and enhance ment of tourism infrastructure, development of sustainable resource management systems and the growth of educational programs in tourism, are regarded as essential for the continued development of Arctic tourism.
Research implications. The systematic compilation of international tourism projects at regional and municipal levels within the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation has been achieved. The lessons learned from the successful projects can be applied in future initiatives with both Russian stakeholders or international partners (including BRICS, the CIS and Eurasian states). Further project development should take into account the fragile Arctic environment and the potential ecological risks associated with the anthropogenic expansion.

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