The entrance permit registration terms for foreigners hinder the development of cruise tourism in the Arctic, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Region Igor Orlov said during a meeting of the State Commission for Arctic Development, TASS reported.

"Colleagues in the cruise business say that they close sales 7-10 days before ships set sail, while we demand 60 days to register permits allowing foreigners to visit our ports. We should look for a way out of this situation," Orlov said, noting that it is necessary to consider a legal option to extend visa-free stays for tourists in the Arctic.

According to Orlov, cruise and expedition vessels entered the Arkhangelsk Region 23 times in 2015 — a record figure for the region's history. "We had about 4,000 tourists from 21 countries, which is twice as many as in 2014," the governor said.