THE EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF NATIONAL PARKS AND ECOLOGICAL TOURISM IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (1983-2023)

Abstract

Against the background of the growing environmental awareness among the population and the reorientation of touristflows toward domestic tourism as well as active state support for tourism development, the Russian network of national parks, established in 1983, is experiencing considerable expansion, and an increasing significance of ecological tourism for its development isbecoming more and more noticeable. In recent years, land allocation for new national parks has been pursued with the aim of preserving unique ecosystems, creating conditions for organized outdoor recreation, and promoting environmental education. This article examines the history of development and the current state of the national parks system in Russia as well as the implementation of ecologicaltourism practices in the parks, taking into account key strategic documents and changes in the legislation of the Russian Federation.Onthe basis of the previously developed stages of the protected areas network formation up to 2001, a characterization of new, contemporary stages related to the implementation of the national project Ecology is proposed. Based on government statistics, the currentstate and specific features of funding for the national parks system are characterized. Through the study of the process of creating fournew national parks – Zigalga, Katalyk, Samursky, and Salair – the patterns and common problems of sustainable development ofecological tourism are analyzed, including conflicts with local communities, low tourist flow levels, and the need for the planning oftourism activities. The analysis based on the case-study methodology revealed the main issues that arose during the organization of thenew national parks in the Russian Federation, which include determining the recreational load, the maximum permissible and optimalflow of tourists and excursionists, and the possibilities for infrastructure placement. The authors have identified the main ways toimprove the management system of ecological tourism in the parks.