In 2023, over 7,000 tourists visited the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden on the Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic, according to Interfax that cites the press service of the Government following the meeting of the government commission on ensuring Russian presence on the Svalbard archipelago.

"A number of measures have been implemented to promote tourism. It is now possible to pay for goods in Russian rubles and via all international bank cards in the settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden. A program for long-term rental of hotel rooms using digital platforms has been developed and implemented," the report states.

Additional measures to support tourism in Svalbard were also discussed at the meeting.

"In particular, the possibility of restoring and modernizing the infrastructure in the Russian settlements of Barentsburg and Pyramiden is being considered. This includes repairing piers to increase the accessibility of Russian settlements for maritime transport, reconstruction and major repairs of housing, as well as the development of retail. In order to optimize logistical processes, the issue of regular sea communication between the Russian Federation and the Svalbard archipelago is being worked out," the report says.

The Svalbard archipelago in the Arctic Ocean legally belongs to Norway, but under the terms of the Svalbard Treaty concluded in 1920, Russia and Norway have equal rights to economic activity there.