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- Eternal warmth: tourists' interest in the northern regions has increased by one and a half times
Eternal warmth: tourists' interest in the northern regions has increased by one and a half times
The demand for tours to the northern regions of the country has increased by 55% this year, the services told Izvestia. The Murmansk Region is the most popular among tourists, but the Arkhangelsk Region, Karelia, Yakutia, and the Krasnoyarsk Territory are also in demand. Northern destinations are chosen both in winter and in summer: in the cold season they go to see the northern lights, and in the warm season they go to watch whales and seabirds. However, there are not enough hotels and transport infrastructure in the northern regions, as well as qualified guides, which affects the cost of travel packages and slows down the increase in tourist flow, experts noted.
How many Russians choose the northern regions
The demand for travel to the northern regions of Russia continues to grow, travel agencies told Izvestia. So, this year its increase is recorded by 55% compared to 2024, which significantly exceeds previous forecasts, said the commercial director of the author's tours marketplace. YouTravel.me (it is a member of the Russian Union of Travel Industry).
The northern regions of the country account for almost a quarter or 23% of all summer trips of Russians, the press service of the Kupibilet air and train ticket search and purchase service noted. They estimated that the demand for these areas is growing by an average of 7-10% annually.
In the first five months of 2025, the share of hotel bookings in the regions in the North of the country increased by more than 2.3 times, Ozon Travel estimated.
— Seasonally, the demand for these destinations is growing from March to July, and the next peak is in October – December, — they added.
Russians usually spend an average of two days traveling to the Far North.
— The peak of the tourist season for northern destinations traditionally falls on the period from June to August, when the weather is most comfortable for travel: the air warms up to +18...+22 degrees, and a long daylight allows you to fully enjoy all the sights, — noted in Kupibilet.
Trips to the Far North and the Arctic are equally popular in summer and winter, these seasons account for 31% and 30% of all bookings for the year, respectively, according to the Ostrovok service. Autumn and spring are chosen a little less often — they account for a fifth of all bookings.
Where to go in the North
Experts call Murmansk the most popular northern destination among tourists. The demand for trips there is already higher than last year, said the head of the travel booking service for Russia and the world, Turslet, which is part of Fly.<url>" by Ksenia Andriankova.
"Because of this, there are quite a lot of tourist offers for the Murmansk Region," she told Izvestia. — First of all, the growing interest in the destination is related to transport accessibility: flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg take only two hours, and ticket prices start at 2.3 thousand rubles.
According to her, the popularity of the region was influenced by bloggers who began to actively promote and share local attractions, as well as the northern lights and the polar day on social networks.
— The Murmansk region enjoys stable demand both in winter and summer, — Ksenia Andriankova assured. —For example, from the end of April to June, guests can observe whales in their natural habitat. From July to November, such meetings become more rare, but possible.
Crab safaris are available from May to December, and from November to April, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Khibiny ski slopes.
The cost of a two-day sightseeing tour to the Murmansk region starts from 35 thousand rubles per person, including an excursion program, accommodation in a selected facility, entrance tickets to tourist locations, as well as guided tours throughout the route. Air travel and train tickets are charged separately.
The top destinations in terms of the number of bookings also include the Arkhangelsk Region (Arkhangelsk and Severodvinsk), Salekhard, Norilsk and Naryan-Mar, Ostrovka added.
—The Arkhangelsk Region attracts tourists with the Solovetsky Archipelago and Kenozersky National Park, while Karelia confidently holds the position of the main destination for outdoor activities with such iconic sites as Ruskeala Mountain Park and Valaam Monastery," added Valery Britaus.
According to him, Yakutia is of particular interest to tourists this year, where, in addition to the traditional "pole of cold" in Oymyakon, cruises to the Lena Pillars are gaining popularity.
— The most dynamic growth in 2024-2025 is demonstrated by the least developed territories. Thanks to the development of expedition cruises, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug shows a 35-50% increase in tourist traffic," he said. — The Krasnoyarsk Territory is investing in the infrastructure of the Putorana Plateau, which has already led to a 25% increase in the number of tourists.
The Yamalo-Nenets and Nenets Autonomous Okrugs rely on ethnographic tourism, offering guests a unique experience of interacting with the indigenous peoples of the North, Valery Britaus added.
According to him, the Arctic regions also offer tourists a lot of interesting things during the warm period. For example, Karelia and Komi attract lovers of rafting and trekking, and the Murmansk Region attracts those who want to observe whales and seabirds.
— The innovative tourism products of 2024-2025 reflect the desire of the regions to diversify their supply. A unique "cryotourism" has appeared in Yakutia, with visits to underground permafrost laboratories. Chukotka offers immersive tours with full immersion in the life of indigenous peoples," added Valery Britaus.
The Krasnoyarsk Territory is developing helicopter tours to the Popigai meteorite crater. Also, according to the expert, the concept of "Arctic glamping" is spreading everywhere — comfortable living in stylized traditional housing modules with modern amenities.
What limits the development of northern tourism
However, the rapid development of northern tourism is facing serious limitations, experts noted. According to Valery Britaus, transport accessibility remains one of the key problems.
— The cost of air tickets to Yakutsk or Anadyr often exceeds the price of a trip to foreign resorts. Logistical difficulties, especially in remote areas, lead to dependence on helicopter transportation. This significantly increases the cost of tours," he stated.
There are also not enough high-quality facilities to accommodate tourists, especially outside the regional capitals, the experts added.
"For example, in the Murmansk Region there are a small number of accommodation facilities, especially in Teriberka, and a small number of vessels that meet the requirements for passenger transportation and sea trips," Ksenia Andriankova emphasized.
At the same time, if almost a thousand objects are available for booking in the Murmansk region, then only about 500 in the Arkhangelsk region, it follows from the data of the Ostrov service.
The shortage of personnel is also noticeable in the tourism sector of the northern regions, experts noted. There is a particularly acute shortage of English-speaking guides, which significantly limits the potential of inbound tourism, Valery Britaus added.
Nevertheless, he is optimistic about the prospects of northern tourism, predicting a further increase in its popularity. However, the tourist flow will be concentrated mainly in the premium segment and niche destinations, the expert concluded.
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