National Park Russian Arctic & Perspective of Tourism Development in the Northern Russian Barents Sea RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

NATIONAL PARK «RUSSIAN ARCTIC» It was founded in 2010 by the governmental prescription National Park «Russian Arctic» million hectares – total area ha – land ha – marine area «Franz Josef Land» Federal refuge million hectares – total area Goal - conservation & sustainable use of unique and valuable natural and historical- cultural heritage Purposes: Conservation and protection Monitoring & researches Support and development of ecological and educational tourism Education & outreach RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

CONSERVATION HISTORY first proposals on establishment of a SPA – strict nature reserve - was not realized FJL & adjacent shelf waters became State Federal Refuge (= Zakaznik) initiative of establishment of a National park was supported by local government of Archangelsk Region 2001 – State Decree About establishment of the National park Russian Arctic during 2001– – National park design project 2009 – National park Russian Arctic (NPRA) is signed by Mr. Putin, only Novaya Zemlya included 2011 Administration established & NPRA starts operating (Franz Josef Land Federal Refuge under management of NPRA) RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

TOURISM Attractions: Untouched ecosystems High Arctic wilderness & undisturbed biodiversity Unique historical & cultural heritage of world importance Possibilities for different tourism activities Tourism formats: Extreme tourism Cruise tourism  started in 1990  2–5 cruises annually (until 2011) Difficulties: Remoteness, hard-to-access, lack of infrastructure Harsh climate restricts many operations & limited time High prices for all activities Not developed tourist services Border area regime & restrictions, permits RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

NPRA: what’s the difference for tourism in the area? Specially protected area NPRA – new legal institution administrating the area Appointed at federal level Responsible for all activities within the SPA area NPRA: what’s the difference for tourism in the area? Permanent population (FJL only): Weather station (4–8) Border guard outpost (20–30) Seasonal activity in 2011: Tourist cruises Researches Clean-up operations Logistics & support of residents 2011 TOURIST SEASON 10 cruises About 1000 tourists New tour operators First ever non-Russian flagged tourist vessel Cooperation in logistics with tour operators RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

CURRENT BASIC REGULATIONS All visits to the spa area requiers permits issued by NPRA Admitting free for tourists (person per cruise visit) All cruises requiers guides / cruise inspector from NPRA PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIS based on standing rules Conservation & protection: Develop ecological regulation Ensure environmental safety Develop management plans of different scale Control of activities within SPA Facilitation of tourism: Develop tourist infrastructure Provide services Information & communication RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

ECOLOGICAL REGIME: NOW Background: Federal Laws «About environmental conservation» & «About specially protected areas» IT IS PROHOBITED WITHIN THE REFUGE: Any industrial activity including oil & gas development Testing and storage of weapons Use of land vehicles in summer outside developed areas limited to the existing objects (polar & military stations) Hunting, capturing, trapping, killing animals, egging, nest destruction. Disturbance & movement of the natural & historical monuments, collecting Keep distance approaching seabird cliffs & walrus rookery by aircraft (1 km, 2 km overfly) and vessels (0.5 km or with a special permit) Littering, pollution etc. RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

ECOLOGICAL REGIME: FUTURE Develop management plan for the area for next 5 years, project started January 2012 Develop site-specific plans for the most visited places Construct & maintain local facilities at sites FACILITATION OF TOURISM: FUTURE Develop local services Develop toursit infrastructure (3 main bases and 12 additional bases - places of historical, cultural and environmental significances) Information & communication (web-portal – Support process of solving problems with military permits RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

NPRA’ CUSTOMERS / OPERATORS Hazardous users - industry & commercial transport Ecologically-friendly users - tourist operators – common interest in ecological safety Neutral users – researchers / joint scientific interests Power state structures – joint state interest POSSIBLE COOPERTION Tour operators not only users Joint logistics – decrease cumulative impact Collaboration on research projects & monitoring programs Additional opportunities to obtain data on wildlife and environment Consultations, information, education etc. RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/

Thank you for your attention Welcome to the Russian Arctic! RUSSIAN TOURISM ROADSHOW /Berlin, Paris, London 2012/