ECOTOURISM - A 21ST CENTURY NECESSITY OR RESPONDING TO CONSUMER DEMAND?

Abstract

This article identifies ecological tourism as a type of tourism that is most fully in line with the principles of sustainable development being a global ecological and economic concept and corresponding to "slow tourism", as a form of behavior alternative to mainstream tourism. Particular attention is paid to the study of ecological tourism in protected natural areas in the forms as close as possible to "green" tourism. The scientific novelty of the work is aimed at studying the essential features and the following trends in the development of ecological tourism as a special type of recreational activity. The authors conducted a sociological study using questionnaires and focus group interviews. Tour guides providing services in a specially protected natural area were selected as the target sample. The study was carried out in the Curonian Spit National Park – a UNESCO site. The authors have studied and analyzed the individual motives and desires of tourists when visiting specially protected natural areas. The results of the study reveal the significance of various types of resources for ecological tourism; the significance of the historical and cultural potential of the territory; the role of natural resources in creating a tourist product aimed at environmental education and awareness; technologies for excursion and educational activities with an ecocentric orientation. The authors demonstrate and propose possibilities and techniques for extrapolation of the principles of "slow tourism", including ones for visiting natural areas. The role of guides as conductors of "slow tourism" is indicated.