Issues of Ecological Tourism Development on the Territory of Pribaikalye

Abstract

Over the past few years, Russians' interest in domestic tourism has been steadily growing. This trend is due not only to external factors, but also to the initiatives of the Russian Government and governors implemented at the federal and regional levels. Tourism is becoming a strategic resource for the development of the Russian economy. The article gives examples of regions that are leaders in eco-tourism, demonstrates data confirming the development of tourism in Russian regions. Irkutsk region is characterized by the richness of flora and fauna, diversity of specially protected natural areas (SPNA). Protected areas are represented by two federal reserves (Baikal-Lensky and Vitimsky), Pribaikalsky National Park, two wildlife sanctuaries (Tofalarsky and Krasny Yar). Also in the Irkutsk region there is a part of the territory subject to protection — Lake Baikal World Natural Heritage Site. The ecosystems of protected areas are fragile in their structure, and serious interference in their structure can lead to destruction and death. Therefore, it is important to strike a balance between the development of tourism infrastructure and the preservation of natural heritage. In the world practice ecological tourism is a tool that allows designing modern ecological centers of international scale. This issue is particularly relevant for Pribaikalsky Krai; a number of documents at the federal and regional levels have identified the development of eco-tourism as one of the priority directions. In this context, it is very important to find such tools and mechanisms that will allow to preserve the environment for future generations, since the influx of tourists not only brings profit, but also leaves behind unfavorable consequences for the environment.