The subject of this study is the Russian areas where the use of natural resources is restricted, and economic activities must be developed with due regard for the need to protect natural ecosystems from harmful human impacts. Areas under nature protection, particularly national parks, also fall into this category and make an important contribution to nature conservation. They are also the basis for the development of ecotourism, as in other parts of the world. Russia, along with other countries, adheres to a variety of concepts and tools for the development of ecotourism in PAs. In this paper, we examine the essential characteristics and implementation domains of state policy for promoting ecotourism development, using the Zabaikalsky National Park (ZNP) and the Tunkinsky National Park (TNP) as illustrative examples. Both parks are situated in the Lake Baikal basin. In this study, we rely on theoretical and practical approaches, and legislative and regulatory documents on the development of PAs and ecotourism. The analytical framework employed in this study encompasses eight fundamental areas of operation for national parks, specifically regarding the establishment of favorable conditions for ecotourism. Our information sources comprise official state reports, documents, and materials pertaining to the studied parks, as well as data obtained from expedition research, GPS tracks, and photo-sharing websites (social networks). Our findings show that efforts are being made in the parks to create favorable conditions for ecotourism development. These efforts include improving management practices, implementing functional zoning strategies, developing conceptual and design solutions, developing infrastructure, securing funding, engaging local communities, and promoting ecotourism services. Furthermore, our analysis has identified both strengths and weaknesses in the parks’ approaches to ecotourism development (attracting private investment, infrastructure and staffing, monitoring of recreational impact). The TNP, being larger in size and better developed economically, has a more significant social and economic impact on people than the ZNP. The two studied parks demonstrate the implementation of the federal agenda for the development of ecotourism in national parks. It is important to remember that the positive effects of ecotourism initiatives in national parks can take time to materialize and require ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Documenting the parks’ progress toward sustainable ecotourism as an acceptable type of economic activity in PAs can help identify successful strategies and areas for improvement, which contributes to biodiversity conservation and the well-being of local communities.

The topic of ecotourism is now more relevant than ever, both in Russia and around the world. Despite the existence of well-known world practices of creating a variety of ecotourism products and services compatible with the goals of conservation of natural territories, Russia still has a long way to go to turn ecotourism into alternative form of recreation that contributes to the environmental and socio-economic development in the Russian regions. The article discusses the methodological approaches, experiences, and results of the All-Russian competition organized to identify pilot ecotourism areas, where tourist and recreational clusters (TRCs) may be developed through implementation of the combined potential of nature protection areas and adjacent territories. The research database includes the competition documents and regional projects published on the website https://priroda.life. The paper presents the goals, objectives, stages and features of the competition, regional strategies for participation in the competition, and the best projects. Moreover, the study identifies the key challenges for the development of ecotourism in natural areas. It shows that the process of involving Russian protected areas (PAs) in ecotourism is more than one-step action, that requires a systematic approach to advancement of tourism-and-recreational clusters jointly with the development of natural and adjacent territories.

The article continues a series of publications on the economic assessment of the consequences of negative water impacts caused by the rising water levels of Lake Baikal. The study focuses on certain methodological aspects of assessing damage to the infrastructure of coastal specially protected natural areas (SPNAs). Thus, within the Republic of Buryatia, SPNAs of federal significance (Transbaical National Park, Baikal and Barguzinsky Reserves, Frolikha and Kabansky Wildlife Refuges) and regional significance (Upper Angara, Ad-jacent to Lake Baikal, and Enkheluk Wildlife Refuges, and the recreational area “Baikal Coast”) are affected by negative impacts due to changes in Lake Baikal’s water levels. The methodological framework for assessing damage relies on the fundamental principles of the “Methodology for Assessing Probabilistic Damage” (VIEMS methodology). Considering the limited application of the methodology concerning SPNAs, the article justifies methodological provisions and proposes an algorithm for assessing damage to SPNA infrastructure, taking into account their functional purpose.

Ice and snow tourism (IST) is a significant global trend, offering Russia opportunities for tourism growth and seasonal diversification. This study investigates the potential of ice and snow art as a distinct subcategory of IST on Lake Baikal. Our research is based on an analysis of academic publications and official policy documents, field surveys conducted in winter 2025, and stakeholder consultations, with the “Olkhon Ice Fest” serving as a case study. The findings indicate a clear shift toward IST, with the number of winter tourists on Olkhon Island increasing by 70% between 2021 and 2024. The festival’s key features—its use of the natural ice landscape, a unique artistic technique, an explicit ecological focus, and strong entrepreneurial initiative—support the development of a conceptual model of IST on Lake Baikal grounded in ecotourism principles. Ensuring the long-term sustainable development of IST in the region requires improved governance, infrastructure, and transport systems, as well as support for green businesses and increased environmental awareness among tourists. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable winter tourism by demonstrating the interconnections among environmental sustainability, socioeconomic benefits, and cultural innovation, thereby situating local IST practices within the broader framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).