An expert in planning Arctic policies believes that arctic tourism can greatly contribute to the economic growth of the indigenous people and at the same time maintain their cultural and natural heritage. According to Alexander Vorotnikov, Coordinator of the Expert Council of the Arctic Development Project Office and an associate professor at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), recently designed national tourist routes would be instrumental in attaining sustainable development in the indigenous territories of the North of Russia.
The remarks of Vorotnikov are based on the Russian government accepting a set of three years actions to execute the Concept of Sustainable Development of Indigenous Low-Numbers Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East. One of the key components of this concept is the establishment of national tourist routes running through historical, cultural and natural sites found in the regions which have traditionally been inhabited by indigenous communities. Vorotnikov believes that such route development offers native people a chance to strike a balance between economic development and preservation of their traditional lifestyles and environment. According to him, such projects enable communities to earn income and jobs as well as enhance the preservation of cultural customs and natural sceneries leading to long term sustainability.
Meanwhile, the tourists can experience a rare cultural experience and pure Arctic nature, which is a win-win in both visitors and locals. The concept that is approved also identifies the mechanisms that will assist the indigenous communities engaged in ethnic and cultural tourism. These are the support of small business and incentives to build and modernize the infrastructure in the tourism sector. According to Vorotnikov, these actions are aimed to stimulate entrepreneurship and raise the living standards in the remote arctic areas. He has mentioned some of the ongoing projects that demonstrate the possibility of this strategy. In the Murmansk Region, the Khibiny mountain ranges are offered as a tour and give the visitor a glimpse into the culture and lifestyle of the Saami people. Evenki and Yukaghir families, who are traditional reindeer herders and hunters, can be visited by the travelers in Yakutia.
The other ones will involve trips to the Chukchi villages where the visitors are taught about the art of carving bones of the walrus and they are also offered the whale-watching tours along the coast of the Bering Sea. The expert believes that the development of such programs based on the national tourist routes would not only enhance the economies of different regions but also protect the cultural and natural values of the indigenous people of Russia in the Arctic.