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 development of tourism in the Russian Far East is a priority for the strategic development of Russia in the current geopolitical environment. The state is implementing unprecedented measures to support the tourism industry in this macro-region. This article analyzes the implementation of the federal agenda for comprehensive tourism development in the Far East, using the Republic of Buryatia as an example (the republic is located in the Baikal natural territory and has been part of the Far Eastern Federal District since 2018). This article presents the key measures of state tourism policy for the Far East, as well as the mechanisms of state regulation and support of tourism in Buryatia. It demonstrates the changing territorial structure of tourism and recreational activities in the region. The study is based on legislative and regulatory documents, national projects, state programs, scientific publications and websites, as well as official statistical data from both federal and regional sources. The results of this study indicate that the Republic of Buryatia is actively enhancing its regional policy on tourism development by utilizing innovative approaches and progressive state support measures. Tourism in Buryatia has not only successfully overcome the consequences of the pandemic but is also developing in current conditions. This is evident in the prioritization of tourism in the Russian Far East and the significant efforts of the authorities of Buryatia, who participate in all competitive selections for federal financial support. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of accommodation facilities and tourist flow without insufficient consideration of environmental factors in investment and economic activities may manifest itself in increased environmental degradation. The article proposes measures to improve tourism policy in line with the solution of strategic tasks of tourism development in the Republic of Buryatia and the preservation of the unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal.

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).

In modern geopolitical conditions, tourism development in the Far East is included in Russia’s strategic agenda. At the state level, a set of unprecedented measures aimed at developing the tourism industry in the macroregion has been launched. This article examines the specifics of implementing the federal agenda for the integrated development of tourism in the Far East with a case study of the Republic of Buryatia, located in the Baikal Natural Territory and part of the Far Eastern Federal District since 2018. The article presents the key measures of state tourism policy with respect to the Far East, the main directions and mechanisms of state regulation, and support of tourism in the Republic of Buryatia. It is shown the territorial structure of tourist and recreational activities in the region is changing. The research is based on legislative and regulatory documents, national projects and state programs, scientific publications, information and statistical data from various official sources at the federal and regional levels, and Internet sources. The results of the study indicate that the Republic of Buryatia is actively improving its own regional policy for tourism development, using new approaches and progressive instruments of state support. Tourism in Buryatia has recovered from the COVID shock and is developing quite successfully in the conditions of modern reality. This confirms not only the priority Far Eastern vector of tourism, but also the sufficiency of the efforts of the region, which actively participates in all competitive selections for federal financial support. At the same time, a significant increase in the number of accommodation facilities and tourist flow without insufficient consideration of environmental factors in investment and economic activities may result in increased environmental degradation. The article proposes measures to improve tourism policy in line with the strategic objectives of tourism development in the Republic of Buryatia and preservation of the unique Lake Baikal ecosystem.

The article considers the problems of winter and ice-snow tourism development in rural areas of the coast of Lake Baikal. The article presents the results of the analysis of modern research indicating the growing interest in winter recreation related to the use of natural resources of ice and snow both in Russia and abroad. The development of this type of tourism is of particular importance in the coastal rural areas of Lake Baikal, since in these areas there are legal restrictions on economic activity due to the special status of Lake Baikal. Under these conditions, the development of winter and ice-snow tourism can contribute to the economic growth of rural areas, the creation of jobs. The article presents an assessment of the current state and trends in the development of ice-snow and winter tourism in the coastal rural areas of the Republic of Buryatia, as well as successful examples of event tourism, such as international festivals and competitions that attract tourists and contribute to the popularization of the region. However, the authors point out existing problems, such as the lack of necessary public utilities, transport and year-round accommodation facilities, as well as unregulated use of natural resources, which can negatively affect the environment and local population. The study substantiates the need for an integrated approach to the development of winter and ice-snow tourism in the coastal rural areas of Lake Baikal, taking into account both economic and environmental aspects to achieve sustainable growth in this area. The authors attach great importance to the organization of work on collecting and systematizing information on the use of the ice surface of Lake Baikal.