SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND KEY ASPECTS OF ICE AND SNOW TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ON LAKE BAIKAL

Abstract

Ice and snow tourism, based on the potential of natural resources of ice and snow, is demonstrating growing dynamics in its development around the world, including in Russia. Lake Baikal, with its unique natural ice surface, attracts an increasing number of tourists. However, the problems and prospects of the development of ice and snow tourism on the ice of Lake Baikal have been studied insufficiently. This article examines theoretical approaches to the concept of “ice and snow tourism,” identifies its key factors, characteristic features, and subtypes. We have studied the natural and climatic factors influencing the development of tourism on the ice surface of Lake Baikal. The paper describes the current procedure for using the ice surface of the lake for recreational purposes within the borders of the Republic of Buryatia. A list of existing routes and activities of ice and snow tourism has been compiled, a map of the territorial distribution of its subtypes across five municipalities of the Republic of Buryatia located around the lake has been created. The development of tourism on the ice surface of the lake is analyzed. The problems of the development of ice and snow tourism as well as violations of environmental requirements during recreational water use on the ice surface of Lake Baikal have been identified. The research is based on legislative and regulatory documents, scientific publications, materials from ministries and departments, tourism organizations, a sociological survey results, and field observation data. Big data technologies (geo-referenced photographs taken by tourists and GPS tracks of tourist routes) were used as auxiliary tools.