From 4 to 11 August, the Bering Strait Festival was held in Chukotka as part of Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2021-2023.

The programme included business sessions, sports competitions and study tours for journalists and tourism industry professionals.

During the Arctic Travellers Forum, the business part of the programme, there were nine sessions and discussions dedicated to the development of Arctic territories through the lens of the tourism industry. The event was attended by 150 tourism experts and specialists.

A test drive of a perspective tourist product – a cruise to Kresta Bay to explore the village of Egvekinot and and the Master of the Earth ethnographic park- was organised for the participants of the business programme of the Bering Strait Festival.

The festival programme also included the Beringia Games, a meeting of representatives of Arctic indigenous peoples in the format of a cultural forum and sports competitions.

A press tour was also organised, focusing on the Chukotka’s Providensky District. The participants met the key points of attraction of the territory – Whale Alley, Sinyavinsky Strait and the routes of the Beringia National Park.

The main events of the Bering Strait Festival took place in the city of Anadyr and the village of Lorino. The organisers are the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic and the Government of Chukotka Autonomous Area.

Pavel Volkov, State Secretary – Deputy Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and the Arctic, shared his impressions of the cruise in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.

To be honest, this is my first visit to Chukotka during my time working at the ministry. The programme was very intense. I was left with two very vivid impressions. One is more connected with my boyish ideas of adventure. And the second one is the impression of a person who has lived a long time. At 50, you already want a certain comfort.

If we talk about the first, then sitting at home on the sofa and watching TV, you will not be able to fully enjoy the Arctic landscapes and atmosphere. That is why we want people to come here and see all this beauty with their own eyes. It is an inexpressible feeling! You can check your map and wonder exactly where you are at the moment. And moreover, the most extraordinary thing is to realise that you are next to another continent, which is actually closer than you used to think.

And, of course, the trip itself gave us vivid emotions. The captain said that the waves reached five metres. Kamchatka met us well, so I recommend to come here and enjoy the local nature. You can see splashing seals and beluga whales.

Of course, there is a lot of work to be done. We need to ensure a comfortable stay of people here regardless of weather conditions. We would really like to have some kind of alternative programme on this cruise, so that if the weather does not allow us to enjoy the main programme, people are not disappointed and upset about it.

I think that the forum that is taking place here will answer many questions, will help in the future to make the right decisions, which we officials need to adopt from the tourism and business community. Thank you very much to the journalists who are covering this event. It is very important for us that you come, watch, film and share it with people. Come to the Arctic. The Arctic is your home.

What are the prospects for Arctic tourism?

Why look far away? I think there is already a growing interest in Arctic tourism. Another of our tasks is to maintain and increase the interest of visitors, the tourist flow and here it is important that the tourist infrastructure corresponds to the number of visitors and their requirements, so that this interest does not disappear. We want everyone who visits the Arctic to take away excellent impressions. And, of course, the prospects for this region are enormous.

Photo: Bering Strait Festival