The problems and prospects of development of tourism and recreation of natural resources in the arctic region of the planet. In 1991. eight Arctic countries - Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States adopted the Strategy for the protection of the Arctic environment (AEPS). In 1996. Ottawa Arctic countries formed the Arctic Council. Prospects for development of natural resources and conservation of the northern polar regions are formulated in the State program "Social and economic development of the Russian Arctic for the period till 2020". On the basis of this program in Russia are carried out activities aimed at the development of the Northern Sea Route, on the organization of new protected areas - national parks and reserves. Development of domestic and inbound international tourism in the polar regions of the country is an important part of the new programs for the integrated economic development of natural resources in the Arctic in order to sustainable development of the region.