In 2023, tourist numbers in the Murmansk Region surged by more than 20% from the previous year, totalling 670 thousand visitors. This sets a new annual record for tourist influx into the Polar Region, according to TASS citing Oksana Demchenko, Deputy Governor of the region.

'Tourist numbers have risen by more than 20% compared to 2022,' stated Demchenko, who emphasised the need to enhance service quality due to this increase.

Andrey Chibis, Governor of Murmansk, noted on his Telegram channel that since 2016, tourist traffic to the region has doubled. 'Interest in our North continues to grow each year. I urge my colleagues to keep this matter under close scrutiny. Continue enhancing both the quantity and quality of tourist services to make vacations in Murmansk appealing to both locals and visitors,' he advised.

Regional authorities aim to boost annual tourist numbers in the Polar Region to one million by promoting ecological, adventure, gastronomic, cultural and event tourism. 2024 has been declared the Year of Cultural and Educational Tourism in the Polar Region. 

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