Development of eco-tourism in foreign and Russian national parks

Abstract

The article gives a comparative analysis of eco-tourism development in North American, European and Russian national parks. The most successful examples of eco-tourism development in Russia and foreign countries are represented. North American and European national parks are noted to be the most attractive for visitors and possess a highly developed infrastructure. There are visitor centers, rental centers, cafes, camping sites, hiking trails, signboards, etc. In Russia, such factors as shortage of specialized tour operators, lack of solid collaboration between national parks and tour operators, poor mechanisms of creating awareness among independent tourists and encouraging their involvement in eco-tourism as well as lack of effective legislative and regulatory framework harden the development of eco-tourism. High transportation costs which contribute to the overall cost of eco-travel have a negative impact on the development of tourism in general making eco-tourism even less attractive. In January 2021 a questionnaire survey was carried out in order to reveal the significance of eco-tourism, its attractiveness for the citizens of the Udmurt Republic and prospective lines of its future development. The survey, based on a questionnaire method and random sampling, involved citizens of the Udmurt Republic. According to the survey findings, the respondents consider Russia to have all the necessary conditions for the development of eco-tourism. About one third of the respondents participated in eco-tours around Russia. Their experience and level of satisfaction differ. High cost of travel, poor infrastructure and lack of independent tours are limiting factors for those who have never tried eco-tours.