DEVELOPMENTAL FEATURES OF NATURE TOURISM IN THE ARCTIC ZONE: THE CASE OF THE RYBACHY AND SREDNY PENINSULAS
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Аннотация
1. Introduction 5
1.1 Literature review 7
2. Methods and materials 10
2.1 Physical and geographical description of the study area 10
2.2 General concepts and approaches to nature-based tourism 14
2.3 Types of usage of natural resources in the Arctic 17
3. Results 22
4. Discussion 41
5. Conclusion 52
6. Acknowledgements 52
7. References 54
1. Introduction 5
1.1 Literature review 7
2. Methods and materials 10
2.1 Physical and geographical description of the study area 10
2.2 General concepts and approaches to nature-based tourism 14
2.3 Types of usage of natural resources in the Arctic 17
3. Results 22
4. Discussion 41
5. Conclusion 52
6. Acknowledgements 52
7. References 54
Nowadays, all over the world, more and more attention is paid to the development and exploration of the Arctic region. The Russian Federation has the largest part of the Arctic territories (about a third of the entire area of the Arctic shelf) - vast expanses of tundra and forest tundra; islands with arctic deserts and semi-deserts; mountains, rivers, lakes. In addition to the fact that the Arctic zone is rich in various minerals, it also has a huge potential for the arctic tourism development. Representatives of 30 different indigenous northern peoples also live in this territory, which provides the ground for ethnocultural tourism. As for the biodiversity of the region, almost all species of Arctic mammals live here: polar bears, bowhead whales, narwhals, beluga whales, walruses, seals and about a million wild reindeer. Despite the harsh climatic conditions, about 1 thousand plant species grow here (Stishov, 2018).
One of the most significant uniqueness of the Arctic region is its relative untouchedness and inaccessibility. Every year the number of people wishing to visit these territories is growing (Lukin, 2016). According to the information agency "EastRussia" (URL: https://ecologyofrussia.ru/arkticheskiy-turizm/), more than 1 million people visit the Russian Arctic zone every year. Almost half of the entire Arctic tourist flow in Russia is received by the Murmansk region, by the Arkhangelsk region, and the Arctic part of Karelia. There are 126 tour operators in the region and more than 500 hotels which can accept guests. The territory of the Far North of Russia is strategically important, therefore ensuring economic growth and improving the social well-being of the population is one of the priorities for the state. According to the decree of June 28, 2014 on the "Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring national security for the period until 2035" (hereinafter referred to as the "Strategy"), the main aims are to attract investment to the region, increase jobs and employment, reduce migration outflow to the central regions of the country (Decree on the "Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone until 2035", 2014). In addition, the implementation of this Strategy implies the development of the tourism sector in all Arctic regions of the country. Tourism contributes diversification of the local economy, creates jobs and acts as a driver of development. But it is also worth understanding that the natural ecological systems of this zone are extremely fragile and vulnerable. Even a slight anthropogenic impact causes significant harm to them (URL: http://proarctic.ru/20/03/2017/expert/25694). Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the region protection.
With the growth of the tourist flow to the region, the anthropogenic pressure on the Arctic landscapes increases the specificity of which lies in the long recovery process. As an example of the negative impact of tourists and the lack of rationing and control of the anthropogenic load on the Arctic territory, I chose the territories of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas located on the territory of the Murmansk region, Russia. Due to the relatively easy transport accessibility and the minimum distance from the biggest Russian cities, this area is one of the most attractive for tourists. Picturesque natural landscapes, a large number of fish in rivers and lakes, clean air, remoteness from civilization - this is why tourists come here. According to related studies and various definitions, the part of tourism that takes place in the natural destinations, including activities revolving around natural features and attractions, can be assumed as the accepted characteristics of nature-based tourism (de Los Monteros, 2002). That is, all types of tourism activities that use natural resources (scenic landscapes, rivers, fish resources, etc.) can be classified as nature-based tourism. Despite the fact that most of the territory of the peninsulas is recognized as a specially protected natural area of regional significance, there is no proper control over the implementation of tourism activities on these lands. The main problem of the territory of the peninsulas is the uncontrolled passage of various vehicles outside the officially designated roads. Even one passage of a car or an ATV off the track over mosses and lichens in the conditions of the Arctic zone leaves a trace that will take a very long time to recover to its previous state. At present, the territory of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas is a «striped» land from the protectors of vehicles. In addition, there is no control over the number of tourists on the territory of the protected area. Thus, the above facts confirm the existence of the problem and the relevance of the research topic.
The subject of the study of the master thesis is the analysis of the development features of natural-based tourism on the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas territories. The object of study is the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. The purpose of this study is to identify problems and possible solutions in the organization of nature tourism and prospects for the development of nature tourism in the Arctic region. The above goals achieved by solving the following tasks:
• analysis of foreign experience in organizing tourism in the Arctic territories;
• analysis of the natural features of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas;
• visits to the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas and fixing violations of the landscapes of the territory from the visitor’s impact to the territory;
• communication with a representative of the public environmental organization "Kola Center for Wildlife Protection", as well as people organizing tourism activities in the territory under consideration....
One of the most significant uniqueness of the Arctic region is its relative untouchedness and inaccessibility. Every year the number of people wishing to visit these territories is growing (Lukin, 2016). According to the information agency "EastRussia" (URL: https://ecologyofrussia.ru/arkticheskiy-turizm/), more than 1 million people visit the Russian Arctic zone every year. Almost half of the entire Arctic tourist flow in Russia is received by the Murmansk region, by the Arkhangelsk region, and the Arctic part of Karelia. There are 126 tour operators in the region and more than 500 hotels which can accept guests. The territory of the Far North of Russia is strategically important, therefore ensuring economic growth and improving the social well-being of the population is one of the priorities for the state. According to the decree of June 28, 2014 on the "Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and ensuring national security for the period until 2035" (hereinafter referred to as the "Strategy"), the main aims are to attract investment to the region, increase jobs and employment, reduce migration outflow to the central regions of the country (Decree on the "Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone until 2035", 2014). In addition, the implementation of this Strategy implies the development of the tourism sector in all Arctic regions of the country. Tourism contributes diversification of the local economy, creates jobs and acts as a driver of development. But it is also worth understanding that the natural ecological systems of this zone are extremely fragile and vulnerable. Even a slight anthropogenic impact causes significant harm to them (URL: http://proarctic.ru/20/03/2017/expert/25694). Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to the region protection.
With the growth of the tourist flow to the region, the anthropogenic pressure on the Arctic landscapes increases the specificity of which lies in the long recovery process. As an example of the negative impact of tourists and the lack of rationing and control of the anthropogenic load on the Arctic territory, I chose the territories of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas located on the territory of the Murmansk region, Russia. Due to the relatively easy transport accessibility and the minimum distance from the biggest Russian cities, this area is one of the most attractive for tourists. Picturesque natural landscapes, a large number of fish in rivers and lakes, clean air, remoteness from civilization - this is why tourists come here. According to related studies and various definitions, the part of tourism that takes place in the natural destinations, including activities revolving around natural features and attractions, can be assumed as the accepted characteristics of nature-based tourism (de Los Monteros, 2002). That is, all types of tourism activities that use natural resources (scenic landscapes, rivers, fish resources, etc.) can be classified as nature-based tourism. Despite the fact that most of the territory of the peninsulas is recognized as a specially protected natural area of regional significance, there is no proper control over the implementation of tourism activities on these lands. The main problem of the territory of the peninsulas is the uncontrolled passage of various vehicles outside the officially designated roads. Even one passage of a car or an ATV off the track over mosses and lichens in the conditions of the Arctic zone leaves a trace that will take a very long time to recover to its previous state. At present, the territory of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas is a «striped» land from the protectors of vehicles. In addition, there is no control over the number of tourists on the territory of the protected area. Thus, the above facts confirm the existence of the problem and the relevance of the research topic.
The subject of the study of the master thesis is the analysis of the development features of natural-based tourism on the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas territories. The object of study is the Arctic region of the Russian Federation. The purpose of this study is to identify problems and possible solutions in the organization of nature tourism and prospects for the development of nature tourism in the Arctic region. The above goals achieved by solving the following tasks:
• analysis of foreign experience in organizing tourism in the Arctic territories;
• analysis of the natural features of the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas;
• visits to the Rybachy and Sredny peninsulas and fixing violations of the landscapes of the territory from the visitor’s impact to the territory;
• communication with a representative of the public environmental organization "Kola Center for Wildlife Protection", as well as people organizing tourism activities in the territory under consideration....
During the research work, it was proved that natural tourism in the Arctic has a high popularity among tourists. Unfortunately, at the moment, the infrastructure of the Arctic does not have the ability to exist tourism in this area without harming the environment. Using the example of the natural park "Rybachy and Sredny Peninsulas", the author of the study identified the following problems in the development of tourism in the Arctic territories:
• the riding of vehicles outside the established roads and their widening;
• absence of a person responsible for garbage removal from the peninsula’s territory;
• the available information stands have an unsuitable appearance for local natural conditions;
• absence of official parking near the main attractions of the peninsulas;
• absence of a special tourist card on which places for tents and cars would be indicated;
• absence of visitors informing about the behavior rules on the territory of the natural park;
• absence of a proper dialogue between tourism organizers on the peninsulas and government representatives.
In connection with these problems, the following solutions are provided:
• placement of information boards of the natural park not only at the entrance to it, but also on its territory. The stands should contain information explaining to the visitor exactly where he is, what is valuable and interesting in this area, where tourists need to be careful in their movements, etc. First of all, such information should appear in nature protection zones;
• the placement of a permanent inspection point on the territory of the natural park will not only show that the territory of the park is under control, but will also be helpful in emergency situations (fire, accident) to promptly take the necessary measures;
• establishing permanent and working relations with those scientists - especially those who have been working on the territory of the peninsulas for a long time;
• establishing partnerships with tour operators who are constantly working on the peninsulas, which will allow, among other things, to exercise the necessary control over the behavior of visitors in protected areas, especially in protected areas;
• development of routes for scientific and educational tours, training of their guides;
• develop a map where camping sites, parking lots and existing roads will be indicated (basic tourist information).
Summing up, we can say that nature-based tourism with its competent organization and elimination of existing problems for its development is able to increase interest in the Russian Arctic from Russian and foreign tourists, which will further contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of this territory.
• the riding of vehicles outside the established roads and their widening;
• absence of a person responsible for garbage removal from the peninsula’s territory;
• the available information stands have an unsuitable appearance for local natural conditions;
• absence of official parking near the main attractions of the peninsulas;
• absence of a special tourist card on which places for tents and cars would be indicated;
• absence of visitors informing about the behavior rules on the territory of the natural park;
• absence of a proper dialogue between tourism organizers on the peninsulas and government representatives.
In connection with these problems, the following solutions are provided:
• placement of information boards of the natural park not only at the entrance to it, but also on its territory. The stands should contain information explaining to the visitor exactly where he is, what is valuable and interesting in this area, where tourists need to be careful in their movements, etc. First of all, such information should appear in nature protection zones;
• the placement of a permanent inspection point on the territory of the natural park will not only show that the territory of the park is under control, but will also be helpful in emergency situations (fire, accident) to promptly take the necessary measures;
• establishing permanent and working relations with those scientists - especially those who have been working on the territory of the peninsulas for a long time;
• establishing partnerships with tour operators who are constantly working on the peninsulas, which will allow, among other things, to exercise the necessary control over the behavior of visitors in protected areas, especially in protected areas;
• development of routes for scientific and educational tours, training of their guides;
• develop a map where camping sites, parking lots and existing roads will be indicated (basic tourist information).
Summing up, we can say that nature-based tourism with its competent organization and elimination of existing problems for its development is able to increase interest in the Russian Arctic from Russian and foreign tourists, which will further contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of this territory.
