Murmansk Region Governor considers marine tourism in the Arctic to be a promising activity (photo)

Murmansk Region Government and world’s leading tour operator TUI have signed an agreement on cooperation to promote tourist products in the region. The document was signed by Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun and TT-Travel CEO Taras Demura in the framework of the 5^th Murmansk International Business Week. Marina Kovtun emphasized the role of tourism in the economy of the country and the Murmansk Region. The Governor also expressed her hope that the agreement will help create high-quality tourist product in the region. Among the most promising activities she distinguished the development of maritime Arctic tourism, says the press center of the regional government.

According to Taras Demura, TUI is going to arrange cruises to Murmansk for Russian tourists. Cooperation with the regional authorities lets establish efficient communication and helps to understanding more clearly which tourist products are required in the region, he said.

The interest of federal and regional authorities, transport companies and tour operators to the development of maritime Arctic tourism was demonstrated at the Made in the Arctic platform of the 5^th Murmansk International Business Week. When speaking at the event, Marina Kovtun said that Arctic cruise tourism is undoubtedly a distinctive brand of the Kola peninsula – Murmansk is a port of departure for North Pole cruises, it has been a port of call for cruise ships for more than 17 years, from this year the port offers a simplified visa regime for foreign tourists arriving by ferries.

“Nevertheless, the tourist industry can be and should be developed. Murmansk Region Government has recently made a lot of significant steps to develop tourism. Today we are the leaders among the Arctic regions when it comes to attractiveness and awareness. People wish to travel nowadays, to discover Russia and Murmansk. Therefore Murmansk Region should meet all the requirements of tour operators and tourists,” emphasized Marina Kovtun.

The discussion touched the capacity of the port’s passenger area to accommodate cruise ships and cruise tourism at Spitsbergen.