The formation of a competitive tourist space in the Arctic regions is expedient from the standpoint of diversification of predominantly single-industry local economies and increasing the socio-economic sustainability of local communities. However, it is extremely important that the measures aimed at achieving these effects are correlated with the ecological and social context of the territories and, fully using their existing potential, do not lead to an aggravation of ecological and economic risks. The purpose of this work was to assess the prerequisites for the development of eco-tourism in the example of the Arctic region and economically related territories and consider the possibilities of forming ecotourism zones. Based on statistical data, cartographic materials, and content analysis of semi-formalized interviews of experts, this work investigated the current level of socio-economic development of the Karelian Arctic, the existing tourist infrastructure, natural, and cultural-historical objects. Strengths and constraints of eco-tourism development are emphasized. A number of innovative tools and approaches for the development of ecological tourism in the Karelian Arctic were proposed, the introduction of which will increase the tourist attractiveness of the territory, and ensure its sustainable development by reducing negative environmental impacts and depopulation.

The preferential regime of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation is the latest regulatory mechanism designed to overcome negative socio-economic trends in the macroregion. The accumulated factual data over the three-year period of this work have made it possible to make the first reasonable estimates of its effects on the regional economy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of transformational changes in the relationship between employment and investment due to the introduction of the preferential regime for key sectors in the regions that are fully or partially included in the Russian Arctic. The relationship between investment and employment in regional industries was studied using least squares regression analysis using Advanced Grapher 2.2 software. The results show, firstly, significant differences in trends in the implementation of preferential treatment: increased economic specialization of some regions and diversification of the economies of other regions. Secondly, there is a slowdown in the emergence of new projects. Thirdly, the markedly different employment effects across industries and regions of the Russian Arctic, as well as the changing nature of the relationship between investment and employment, require a significant revision of regulatory measures and economic policies to maximize regime effects and achieve sustainable long-term regional development.

Border territories were considered both as front lines and as a resource for economic development in different historical periods. The studied regions of the Northwestern Federal District adopt these roles too. The purpose of the research is to consider the transformations of the border strip, to assess the normative sources that contribute to or limit the development of border regional economic systems, to analyze economic parameters and identify the patterns of this development. The scientific novelty is associated with the development of a comprehensive methodology, including the economic and legal assessment of the influence of the border location factor on the development indicators of the territory. The application of this technique allows substantiating the assumption that the nature of functioning and economic parameters may be related to the legal aspects of regulating the border position of Russian regions to a greater or lesser extent. The authors come to the conclusion that in the current geopolitical environment it becomes obvious that the legal and economic conditions will be significantly transformed. The degree of involvement in cross-border interactions for some sections of the borders will decrease, and vice versa new areas of international economic activity will appear, with corresponding structural shifts, which will become a vector for continuing the research. The study substantiates that the processes of economic interactions must be assessed both in economic and legal dimensions. It is shown that the border location factor has an ambiguous and multidirectional influence. At the same time, the impact of the factor is transformed along with the geopolitical, economic and legal environment. Legal prerequisites for different territories are formed individually, manually and are associated with specific situations and the nature of international interactions. A significant part of the restrictions on doing business in the border areas, which were considered in the article, is related to the peculiarities of their legal regime. Consequently, the factor of the border position from the point of view of economic and legal regulation can intensify both risks and opportunities for development.

В статье объектом изучения выступает экологический туризм. Рассмотрено понятие, признаки и принципы экологического туризма. В связи с принципом ограниченного количества посетителей были исследованы подходы к определению рекреационной емкости особо охраняемой природной территории (ООПТ). На основе изученных подходов и результатов исследований был предложен новый подход к определению рекреационной емкости как организационно-экономического инструмента развития экологического туризма на ООПТ. На примере заповедника Костомукшский, входящего в Зеленый Пояс Фенноскандии, был проведен расчет рекреационной емкости и сформулированы рекомендации по основным направлениям развития экологического туризма на территории заповедника, которые будут актуальны как для данной, так и для другой заповедной территории.

Despite the increasing influx of tourists to the Arctic and the growing body of scientific research on tourism in the region, existing studies fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of the patterns shaping the development of tourism systems in the Russian Arctic. This study seeks to identify the spatial dynamics of tourism system formation and the key factors influencing their development. The research methodology employs hierarchical cluster analysis to classify Arctic tourism systems in Russia, followed by a ranking of the identified typological groups. The analysis incorporates municipal-level indicators that assess tourism potential and infrastructure, transport and logistical accessibility, as well as climatic and environmental conditions. The study’s novelty lies in its extensive use of municipal-level data to evaluate tourism development across the Russian Arctic. The findings reveal considerable disparities in tourism potential, development levels, and perceptions of Arctic tourism and its existing opportunities. Eight typological groups of Arctic tourism systems were identified, each characterized by distinct factors shaping tourism growth. The study further ranks these groups based on their level of tourism system development. The results underscore the need to reinstate the practice of compiling tourism inventories for Arctic regions at both regional and municipal levels. The insights gained from this study provide a scientific and practical foundation for developing management tools and policy strategies to support the spatial development of Arctic tourism systems. Future research should focus on examining Arctic tourism systems in the context of specific tourism sectors.

Significant heterogeneity of the level of development of the Russian border, including in the field of recreation, imposes requirements for differentiation in the regional policy. Definition of the types of territories helps to solve applied management tasks more effectively. In this context, the factors by which these types were formed are important. To solve this problem, the authors conducted a factor analysis through the principal component method using oblique factor rotation. Three blocks of variables were analyzed that characterize the subjects of the Russian Federation that have land borders on the mainland (including river and lake borders) and sea borders with neighboring countries located on the map clockwise from Norway to the United States (border regions of Russia) for the period from 2010 to 2018. As a result, five factors were identified: the factor of the demand for the services of the recreational system, the factor of the development of the infrastructure of the recreational system in climatic conditions, the environmental safety factor, the factor of investment in the development of the recreational system infrastructure, the factor of the location at the border. The results of the study can be used as a practical tool for developing recommendations in the field of regional policy aimed at development of a recreational system, taking into account the factors determined for each identified group. The results of the study were obtained in the framework of the state task of the IE KarRC RAS on the topic “Institutions and social inequality in the face of global challenges and regional restrictions”.