State Duma makes it easier for foreign tourists to visit Russia’s Arctic

Amendments that simplify visiting of Russia’s Arctic zone and the Far East Federal District by foreign cruise ships have been approved by the State Duma of the Russian Federation at its plenary session held on 18 July 2019, says press center of the State Duma.

The amendments are to be introduced into the following laws: “On the State Border of the Russian Federation” and “On the Internal Sea Waters, Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone of the Russian Federation”.

The law simplifies calls of foreign tourist and cruise ships at Russian ports in the Arctic and the Far East regions. That will contribute to the development of their tourism potential.

According to the law, RF Government will approve the list of ports or points within the internal sea waters, territorial sea and contiguous zone of the Russian Federation included into the Arctic Zone and the Far East Federal District of the Russian Federation, where foreign tourist ships will be allowed to embark/disembark passengers and load/unload stores.

According to Vasily Piskarev, Chairman of the Safety and Anticorruption Committee, simplification of the procedures on organization of sea tourism in the Arctic will not pose any threat to the country’s security while facilitating the growth of tourists flow in the region.