Prospects of ecological tourism development in Northern Asia protected natural areas. The case of Dzherginsky Reserve (Republic of Buryatia)

The purpose of the study is to explore the current state of tourism development in natural protected areas Republic of Buryatia using the case of Dzherginsky Reserve and to identify favorable and negative factors influencing the development of tourism, to determine the main directions for the development of ecological tourism on its territory. Research methods. The main research method was the comparative geographical method. This method helped reveal the features of the development of tourism in Dzherginsky Reserve in comparison with Baikalsky and Barguzinsky Reserves. The statistical method using the dynamics of visitors in the reserves the Republic of Buryatia was determined. In article shown the number of visitors in Dzherginsky reserve is less than in other reserves. The main prerequisites analyzed for the development of tourism in the reserve and factors identified hindering its development. The cartographic method applied in the analysis of the economic-geographical and transport-geographical position of the reserve. On the method of analogies based, identified and substantiated promising directions for the development of ecological tourism in Dzherginsky Reserve. Research results. In the course of the work carried out, that the main factors revealed hindering the development of tourism in Dzherginsky Reserve are the transport inaccessibility of the territory, the lack of access roads with a hard surface, and the environmental and educational nature of the activity. The analysis showed that since 2008 observed the positive dynamics of the number of reserve visitors. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a decrease in the number of tourists, which is a temporary phenomenon. The reserve has developed five ecological tours designed for tourists with physical training. The reserve has an ethnotourist complex to accommodate tourists. Conclusions. The development of ecological tourism is a promising area of activity for Dzherginsky reserve, for which there are all prerequisites. However, in order for ecological tourism to be profitable, cooperation with government agencies, representatives of the tourist industry and the local population is necessary. In this regard, it is important to use the existing experience of Baikalsky reserve in training the local population and attracting tourists to serve. At the present stage, it is necessary to develop program documents in which it is necessary to provide for measures to mitigate adverse factors.