The pandemic has significantly narrowed the range of destinations for travelers accustomed to spending their vacations abroad. But at the same time, as experts and officials at various levels have repeatedly stated, the covid restrictions have played into the hands of Russian resorts and tourist destinations in Russia.

For example, last year the number of tourists in the Murmansk region was twice as much as in 2020, said the governor of the region Andrei Chibis during his speech at the session of the Gaidar Forum.

Tourists come here, to the Russian Arctic to see the northern lights, to visit the village Teriberka, famous after the film "Leviathan", or catch salmon in the Kola Peninsula. However it is not all for what tourists from different regions of Russia come here. What else attracts vacationers in the Murmansk region and how tourism develops here - read our article.

UNIQUE CUISINE

Cuisine of the region has a great influence on impressions of the region, says Chibis. He said that, according to various expert estimates, good local food is at least a third of all emotions during a vacation. And if a few years ago the Arctic cuisine, according to him, was not in demand, but now the institutions specializing in it are seeing a real increase in revenue.

"That's why we started to actively develop and invest in the Arctic cuisine. And we can see the results even today: the revenue of restaurants offering dishes of arctic cuisine has increased by 20%. All because they give a specific, unique, ecologically clean and tasty product. Everyone knows about our crab, cod, halibut. There is also haddock, scallop, not to mention deer meat," continued the governor.

FISHING AND SKIING

Salmon fishing is another unique thing for which tourists from other countries come here. However, this entertainment is expensive and in great demand mainly among the wealthy people, admitted Chibis.

"But we actively invest in the middle segment, because for us the development of tourism is important from the point of view that the residents of the Murmansk region after working days could get to the Far Zelentsy, Teriberka. We focus on investing in the middle segment", - he said.

The place of attraction for vacationers since the Soviet times is a ski resort in Khibiny, which is now breaking all records in terms of attendance, said Chibis at the forum. During the New Year's holidays, the increase was 56 percent.

"This resort, unique in Russia, right in the mountains, has a high-quality restaurant. The views from here are gorgeous, and our Arctic cuisine is on the menu. Here is a completely different infrastructure, which also attracts our locals to come skiing", - said the head of the region.

He added that due to a special system of snow melting fans of this kind of recreation can ski from October to June.

THE IMPACT OF TOURISM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION

Active investment in tourism in the Murmansk region began three years ago. However, already now the industry has become one of the most dynamically developing, said Chibis.

"We have only a volume of those tourists, who were recorded in the official statistics, twice exceeded the flow of tourists in 2020. Yes, the closed borders deprived us of a large flow from Asia. But tourists from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other big cities economically substituted all the money, which was brought to us by Asian tourists. The tourism industry has not suffered, but, on the contrary, has developed, "- he stressed.

CREATION OF NEW FACILITIES

Through the development of tourism, increasing the flow of visitors and the guaranteed demand in the region began to implement two global projects. It's about creating a tourist cluster "Walla-Tunturi", the cost of which is estimated at more than 27 billion rubles. Within the framework of this project a shipyard on the bank of Kola Bay, which is not in operation, will be redeveloped.

"This year we are already starting its implementation, the first ten steps of practical realization. We have received federal support for this purpose. Instead of the abandoned factory buildings there will be food courts, fish markets, a congress center, apartments, and a beautiful embankment. And the area of this project is two and a half of the Red Square. It is a unique project for an Arctic city", - continued the governor.

Thanks to the development of tourism the number of passengers at the local airport has also increased.

"Our airport has begun to receive 30% more guests than it did in the pre-doctober year. Our private investor is starting to build a new terminal this year," he added.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova