At the end of November, the Komi Republic joined the Agency for Strategic Initiatives' programme for developing industrial tourism in Russia for the first time. Experts, specialists from the regional government and company representatives developed 11 excursion programmes to the region's enterprises. While the excursion programmes are mainly concentrated in Syktyvkar, there is also an 'Arctic offering'—a trip to the coal mines of the legendary Vorkutaugol.

To begin with, tourists are taken to the Museum of Miners' Glory, where they learn about the heroic development of the coal deposit in permafrost. Today, Vorkutaugol is one of the largest companies in the country both in terms of production volume and the level of technical equipment in production. Then, guests of the enterprise are directed to the digital control room, where they can see all stages of the technical process—from coal mining in the shafts to the output of finished products in the processing plant. Finally, tourists are taken to the Yunyaginsky coal mine, where they can witness the mineral extraction process live. The tour is designed for groups of 10 or more people, and visitors must arrange their own transport to Vorkuta. However, regular air services make it quite possible to visit without much difficulty.

The Komi Republic is not the only region that offers guests a trip to a truly 'Arctic enterprise.' In the Republic of Karelia, the Industrial Tourism Accelerator works with Segezha Pulp and Paper Mill, which produces packaging paper. This mill is the world's second-largest producer of high-tech kraft paper, boasting modern equipment and outstanding production capacity. It employs just under 15,000 people. Tourists are offered the chance to follow the entire paper production process from wood to finished product, as well as visit the laboratory and test the strength of the products themselves. In the Arkhangelsk Region, guests are invited to the traditional wooden shipbuilding yard on Moseev Island. Since 2019, a 19-metre koch (a sea-class flat-bottomed fishing vessel) has been under construction here using ancient technologies and materials. The 42-ton vessel will symbolise the heroic exploration of Pomorye by Russian settlers and is currently a tourist attraction.

In the polar part of the Krasnoyarsk Region, Norilsk has taken the leading position in industrial tourism with its unique wonders. There, Nornickel offers an excursion to Russia's only underground training ground for miners. Here, visitors can directly experience the peculiarities of modern ore mining work in safe conditions—usually, tourists are not allowed into mines due to the difficulty of ensuring their safety and health. On the 7-square-kilometre site, guests will see real mining equipment and gear, and experience the 'charms' of underground labour first-hand. However, that's not all—Norilsk offers another type of attraction. It's a visit to a polar crypto farm where Bitcoin is mined. Gigawatt LLC is the world's northernmost 'digital gold' mining project, complete with its own art installation, data centre and other high-tech marvels.

The last Arctic region to take part in the Industrial Tourism Accelerator is the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area. Here, guests can expect a journey to the industries most often associated with the Arctic. For instance, the Vyngapurovsky Gas Processing Plant conducts free quarterly tours for all comers, showing how natural gas, one of the cornerstones of the Russian economy, is extracted. Applications must be submitted at least 14 days in advance—tourists will be provided with protective clothing and special safety equipment, as the production site is not a place where safety can be neglected. The programme is only available to adults and teenagers over 16 years of age. Here, visitors can witness the entire natural gas production complex and the country's industrial might. Also, near Labytnangi in the Kharp settlement, guests can visit the Arctic Water plant, which extracts water in the Polar Region that has remained untouched since the mammoth era. The Water Quality Centre in England has determined that the company's products are 'ideal' for human consumption, so drinking this elite liquid is not an opportunity available to everyone. It is scarce, very expensive and rare. In addition to the water itself, tourists are entertained with scientific lectures on the properties of H₂O and the peculiarities of its extraction from permafrost.

The industrial tourism development programme operates throughout Russia—its goal is both to showcase the industrial power of the nation and to help the younger generation decide on their future professions. Arctic enterprises bring many benefits to the country. As of 2023, the AZRF's share of Russia's GDP stood at about 12% and 25% of its exports. The dynamic growth of the polar economy needs young and ambitious minds, as well as recognition for its achievements.

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