Focus of this study is the current stage of the tourism development of two Russian settlements on Svalbard – Barentsburg and Pyramiden. This study analyses the process of recent tourism development and investigating the settings behind the narratives used in the production of tourism experiences on the archipelago. How mining past and the history of Russian presence are interwoven into the tourism activities and what are they based on? How the stakeholders involved in the current stage of tourism development look upon the motives behind it and justifications of the Russian presence on Svalbard, what are the possible futures of this development? Study utilises mixed-method approach combining analysis of existing published material and extensive fieldwork experience resulting in participant observations and interviews with the relevant stakeholders.