The scientific project is supported by the Russian Science Foundation

Key words: Arctic region, tourism development, arctic tourism, regional tourist system, domestic tourism, inbound tourism, social and economic development, leisure and recreation, local population, sustainable nature management, environmental restraints, Russian Federation

Abstract:
The Arctic regions are a significant resource for the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation, where the severity of the natural and climatic conditions for human life and activity requires special attention to achieving a high quality of life for the local population. One of the tools for maintaining and restoring the physical and emotional strength of a person is tourism, the possibility of a good leisure and recreation in the place of residence. Despite the growing interest in the Arctic, the use of its unique tourist and recreational potential of both natural and anthropogenic genesis, including the cultural traditions of the local population, is limited by a number of endogenous and exogenous factors. These are the high susceptibility of ecosystems to anthropogenic impact and climate change; potential conflicts "tourists - locals"; level of infrastructure development; increased "northern" costs. The tourism market transformation due to the geopolitical challenges has led to the intensification of the Asian vector for the development of international inbound tourism. It is a serious challenge for the European part of the Arctic zone, because its tourist systems are not ready for the linguistic, nutritional and other needs of such tourists. The COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical situation have radically changed the holiday destinations of Russians, increasing the importance of domestic tourism. From the extent to which the tourist systems of the Arctic will be ready to receive and serve Russian (domestic, local) and international tourists, they will be competitive in the Russian and international tourist markets; able to use the opportunities of the multiplier effect in regional development; successful in increasing the well-being of the local population, retaining them (especially young people), in strengthening patriotic sentiments and reproducing human capital. There is a need to elaborate a special methodology for assessing the development of Arctic tourism systems and managing their development, taking into account the Arctic regions specifics. At the same time, the main focus is the need to comply with the requirements of sustainable nature management and consider the interests of the local community, i.e. how to get a quality tourist product and preserve the natural, historical and cultural landscape of the Arctic.
The purpose of the project is to elaborate a methodological approach to the study of domestic and international inbound tourism in the Russian Arctic (9 regions), its practical application for identification of the specifics and general trends in the tourism systems development and propose recommendations for improving their operation. The project implementation will enhance the competitiveness of the Arctic destinations in the international and Russian tourist markets as well as increase the quality of life of the local population by improving the possibilities of organizing leisure and recreation, taking into account sustainable nature management approaches.
The project involves the implementation of four main stages:

1) development of a theory and methodology for assessing the level of tourist systems development in the Russian Arctic;

2) assessment of the tourism systems of the Arctic regions on the basis of the proposed integrated approach, taking into account the possibilities of recreation and recreation for the local population, the functioning of domestic and international inbound tourism, and environmental restraints;

3) definition of interregional differentiation and identification of typological groups of the Arctic regions according to the level of development and accessibility of tourism;

4) development of recommendations to regional, municipal authorities, tourism industry in order to stimulate the development of domestic and international inbound tourism based on the analysis and identified typological groups.

The novelty of the project lies in the fact that for the first time an approach will be developed and indicators will be proposed to determine the level of development of tourism systems in the Arctic regions of Russia from the point of opportunities for leisure and recreation of the local population, domestic and international inbound tourism; on this evidence recommendations will be developed for regional and municipal authorities, tourist business.