In Arkhangelsk took place a meeting with participants of the research expedition. During the week they explored the road infrastructure and tourist potential of the Arkhangelsk region.

Auto-expedition started in Velsk on May 18 2021. In a week two groups managed to visit the Velskyi, Ustyanskyi, Kholmogorskyi and Primorskyi regions. During two days they were exploring and investigating local cafes, hotels and campgrounds in Arkhangelsk.

On May 24, experts shared the first drafts/impressions from the trip at the seminar-meeting at the Regional Development Agency.. Experts talked about the specifics of designing routes for russian and international caravaners, about the general requirements for the arrangement of campgrounds and campgrounds.

The meeting was attended by the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Arkhangelsk Region for Tourism, representatives of the Arkhangelsk Administration, the Regional Ministry of Natural Resources, the hotel business, car sharing companies, tourist information centers and others. Online participants were: the editor-in-chief of the profile portal RV Land, representatives of the Kenozersky National Park, the administration of the Kargopol District and the districts of the Arkhangelsk Region.

The Arkhangelsk region one of the first regions which responded to the proposal of Rostourism to create routes for caravanners. This was noted by the head of the expedition, the president of the public organization «League of Caravaners» Andrei Artyukhov.

— the main goal of the expedition is to explore the tourist potential of the Arkhangelsk region. The outcome of the expedition will be presented to auto travelers at the largest festival in the field of international caravanning in 2022 — 91st FICC International Rally. It will take place from July 27 to August 7 in Moscow, — he explained.

Plus, based on the results of the expedition, will be developed proposals and recommendations for improving the road infrastructure to increase the inbound tourist flow in the Arkhangelsk region.

At the meeting experts assessed the existing road infrastructure of the region as a four score (out of five). They said that region has good potential for development.

— the North has always attracted caravanners. The road to Arkhangelsk is comfortable. We quickly got on the highway "M-8". I was surprised that there are recreation areas and they are systematized, — said Andrey Artyukhov. — I liked the quality of the roadside food very much — the cafe menu includes local cuisine and a variety of fish dishes, which already prompts a positive attitude, because Arkhangelsk is a fishy land.

Caravanners highly appreciate the comfort while they travel. It means the presence of a network of gas stations, hotels and guest houses, dining places, clear tourist navigation and display facilities. Experts noted that the hotels in the Arkhangelsk region have sufficient occupancy. This is why, during the high summer season, would be clever to organize camping sites, which do not require capital construction and large investments. This will be possible to increase the number of accommodation places.

The equipment of such parking lots is a matter for business and investors. We should understand that the main income comes not from the parking lot itself, but related services: toilets, showers, water and electricity, organized garbage collection, laundry and kitchen, playgrounds and sports grounds, and much more. Due the all nuances and restrictions associated with the spread of Covid-19 infection, experts think that the traffic of autotourists will grow in the very near future.

— to be honest, it has become cramped in Karelia region. Arkhangelsk region are closer and more interesting than Karelia, so they need to be sold to the Moscow agglomeration and nearby regions, — said the head of the expedition. — Car travelers are a more massive segment. They are ready to come at any time, but it is for them that the quality of the infrastructure is important. Residents of large cities, traveling to the regions, want to see the appropriate service.

According to experts, in order to make the rest in the Arkhangelsk region comfortable for caravanners, it is necessary to pay attention to the following points. Firstly, there is a lack of information on tourism resources and objects of the tourism industry on the ground. Secondly, there is no recognition of the territory and low activity in promoting local brands. Thirdly, the tourist has nothing to spend money on: in many points there are not enough souvenir shops with original products, there is not enough information about additional services (excursions and master classes), there are no interactive and modern programs for young people in museums.

— I have been traveling by car for 25 years and with my family in a motorhome for 12 years. It is much more interesting than travel by plane or train, because you are completely immersed in the region you are traveling. By car you can drive into a beautiful village, chat with locals, find a beautiful observation deck and relax (in a rhythm that suits you) — added Andrey Artyukhov.

After Arkhangelsk, the research expedition headed to the White Sea villages — Solza and Nyonoksa, as well as the Onezhskii region.

The results of the expedition will be presented at the conference on the development of caravanning «Reserved lands of the Russian North», which will be held in the city of Kargopol in June 2021.

Tourist Information Center of the Arkhangelsk Region