Ecotourism in Russia: How Border Closures and Sanctions Gave a Powerful Impetus to the Industry's Development

Introduction

Before February 2022, many Russian tourists habitually viewed vacations as synonymous with trips abroad: Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, and European capitals. Domestic tourism existed somewhere on the periphery of mass consciousness — for enthusiasts, for those who "hadn't saved up enough," or for short weekend getaways. However, border closures, the imposition of sanctions, increasingly complex visa regimes, and the rising cost of travel abroad radically reshaped the landscape. Millions of people who had never previously considered vacationing within the country began searching for alternatives. One of the most vibrant and fastest-growing alternatives became ecotourism.

This article is the result of an analysis of statistical data, industry research, expert assessments, and, just as importantly, personal experience. My family and I travel extensively across Russia, visiting various regions, and for the most part, we prefer vacations specifically in nature — either in a tent or at glamping sites. In recent years, we have traveled around Karelia, and the Vologda, Yaroslavl, and Tver regions. I have personally ventured to the Southern Urals, and the Tula and Kaluga regions, and visited Lake Baikal in the spring. We are only planning a trip to Altai, but it has long been on our list of upcoming destinations. And I can say with full confidence: the development is truly palpable. Infrastructure is growing, service quality is improving, and the geography of accessible destinations is expanding every year .

What is Ecotourism and Why It's Not Just "Relaxing in Nature"

Before discussing figures and trends, it is important to clarify the concepts. Many mistakenly believe that ecotourism is any trip to nature with a tent or staying in a hotel made of eco-materials. In reality, the concept is much deeper.

According to the definition by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education." This is not just a vacation but a journey with specific goals and principles .

Experts identify several key criteria that distinguish genuine ecotourism from an ordinary nature outing:

1. Travel to nature with an educational purpose. The main content is acquaintance with wildlife, local customs, and culture. The natural component predominates, and tourists come not just "for a picnic" but to gain new knowledge and impressions.

2. Minimization of negative consequences. Ecotourism must support the ecological sustainability of the environment, minimizing anthropogenic impact.

3. Contribution to nature conservation. Part of the tourism revenue should be directed towards environmental protection measures, and the trips themselves should contribute to the preservation of ecosystems.

4. Environmental education and enlightenment. Tourists are accompanied by professional guides — biologists, geographers, ecologists — who not only show the sights but also provide a deep understanding of natural processes.

5. Participation of local residents and their receipt of income. Ecotourism should create economic incentives for nature conservation and support the traditional way of life of the local population .

An important note: if a journey meets only some of the criteria, it is not yet full-fledged ecotourism. For instance, simply treating nature with care during a hike or staying in a hotel made of eco-materials without educational excursions and contribution to the protection of the area is not ecotourism in the strict sense of the word.

Why Ecotourism Saw Explosive Growth After 2022

The events of 2022 served as a catalyst that greatly accelerated the development of domestic tourism in general and ecotourism in particular. Prior to this, the industry was growing, but at a moderate pace. Border closures, sanctions restrictions, complicated visa procedures, and a sharp increase in the cost of flights abroad redirected a colossal tourist flow into the country.

According to Sberanalytics, the domestic tourist flow in Russia grew by 32% between 2019 and 2023, reaching a record 152 million people (compared to 116 million in 2019). The number of organized trips within the country in 2024 was estimated at around 96 million, a quarter more than in 2023.

Personal Experience: How Infrastructure is Changing Before Our Eyes

I can corroborate these statistics with personal observations. My family and I travel extensively across Russia, and I clearly see how the situation is changing practically before our eyes. Just a few years ago, when planning a trip to Karelia or Lake Baikal, one had to accept that accommodation options were limited to either Soviet-era tourist bases with outdoor facilities or a complete lack of any infrastructure. Today, the picture is different.

Karelia, which we have visited several times, used to be associated exclusively with tents, mosquitoes, and spartan conditions. Now, modern glamping sites are appearing on the shores of lakes, eco-trails are being developed, and visitor centers are opening. In the Vologda and Yaroslavl regions, where we have also traveled with family, there are more and more places for civilized nature recreation — from small eco-hotels to well-maintained campsites.

Lake Baikal, where I had the chance to visit in the spring, is an entirely different story. The scale and beauty of this place are stunning, and it's gratifying to see that the infrastructure there is developing, albeit not without its challenges. New tourist bases are appearing, observation platforms are being equipped, and routes are being laid out. People travel from all over the country, and it's no surprise — there are only a handful of such places in the world.

The development is truly noticeable. We have started visiting regions more often that we simply wouldn't have gone to before due to the lack of minimal comfort. And it's not that we dislike tents — on the contrary, we have plenty of camping experience. But when traveling with family, especially with children, you want some basic infrastructure to be present. And it is emerging.

Against this backdrop, ecotourism became one of the main beneficiaries. People accustomed to high-quality vacations abroad began looking for options within the country that offered a similar level of experience. And it turned out that Russia possesses colossal potential: unique natural territories that can compete with the world's best destinations .

Interest in winter ecotourism in the 2025–2026 season grew by 20% compared to the previous year. Moreover, tourists are increasingly choosing not standard hotels but atmospheric accommodation formats — demand for eco-houses and glamping sites with panoramic windows rose by 25%, despite the higher price tag .

Impressive Statistics: How Visitation to Protected Areas is Growing

Specially Protected Natural Areas (SPNA) — national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries — are the primary venues for ecological tourism. And the dynamics of their visitation speak for themselves.

In 2022, federal SPNAs were visited by about 14 million people. In 2023, the figure rose to 14.56 million, and in 2024 — to almost 17.6 million, showing 8% growth year-on-year. In 2025, there was a real surge — the number of ecotourists reached 22.5 million people, an increase of nearly 5 million over the year .

In total, Russia has 245 SPNAs of federal significance, including 108 national parks .

Most Popular Ecotourism Destinations in Russia

Russia is vast, and popular ecotourism destinations are scattered across the entire country — from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. Let's look at the key locations that attract the most tourists.

Absolute Leaders in Visitation

According to data for 2024, the top four most popular SPNAs accounted for approximately half of the total tourist flow to national parks and reserves in Russia:

1. Kislovodsk National Park — about 5 million visits. The largest urban park in Europe, located within the resort city.

2. Sochi National Park — 2.79 million visits. A unique combination of mountain and coastal ecosystems.

3. Losiny Ostrov National Park in Moscow and the Moscow region — 1.67 million visits.

4. Curonian Spit National Park — 1.49 million visits. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Destinations for Discerning Ecotourists

In addition to the leaders in absolute numbers, there are destinations that have become particularly popular among tourists seeking unique experiences:

Lake Baikal — winter ecotourism here is experiencing a real boom. Tourists are attracted by the transparent ice, ice diving, and hovercraft rides. Volunteer projects like "Reserved Baikal Region" and the "Great Baikal Trail" are popular. Baikal is especially beautiful in spring — the ice still stands, but the approach of warmth is already felt, and there are fewer tourists than during the peak winter season.

Karelia — a land of lakes and forests, to which my family and I return again and again. More and more glamping sites and eco-hotels are appearing here, allowing comfortable relaxation in nature. Rafting on rivers, trekking in national parks, and winter snowmobile trips are popular.

Altai — one of the most promising destinations, where my family and I are only planning to go. Eco-houses and glamping sites that allow one to live closer to nature are actively developing here. Volunteers maintain eco-trails and work in national parks and botanical gardens.

Kamchatka — the land of volcanoes, geysers, and wildlife. A destination for those ready for more serious adventures and with a budget for helicopter excursions.

Teriberka and Murmansk — the main destinations for hunters of the Northern Lights. Winter surfing in the Barents Sea is also attempted here.

Caucasus — in the Caucasus Nature Reserve, volunteers participate in community clean-ups, overnight hikes, and trail improvement.

Key Problems and Challenges of Ecotourism Development

The rapid growth of ecotourism has exposed a number of systemic problems that require solutions.

1. Lack of Infrastructure

One of the main brakes on the development of the sector is the lack of modern infrastructure around natural areas. "Reserves need to be included in national projects for the development of tourism infrastructure. This will allow for the creation of observation platforms, ecological trails, and tourist information centers," experts note .

2. Risk of Area Degradation Due to Overload

In world practice, there is an expression: "Tourism destroys tourism." The essence of the problem is that without proper organization and ecological improvement, the flow of tourists can cause irreparable damage to natural areas. Soil compaction, erosion, littering, and disturbance to wildlife — these are all real consequences of uncontrolled tourism.

3. Discrepancy Between the Russian Approach and Global Standards

Researchers note a discrepancy between the domestic approach to defining ecological tourism and global standards and principles of sustainable development (ESG). Often, what is called ecotourism in Russia is not actually ecotourism — building hotels from eco-materials in unique natural areas without organizing educational programs and without contributing to nature conservation is not ecotourism, but ordinary recreation in a pseudo-natural style .

Glamping: A New Format for Eco-Friendly Accommodation

One of the most noticeable trends in recent years has been the growing popularity of glamping — comfortable outdoor recreation. It is a kind of compromise between the desire to be closer to nature and the reluctance to give up the usual level of comfort.

My family and I have stayed at glamping sites multiple times in various regions — in Karelia, and the Tver and Yaroslavl regions — and I can say it is a truly convenient format. You live practically in the middle of a forest or on the shore of a lake, you hear the birds, breathe fresh air, but at the same time, you have a proper bed, a hot shower, and electricity. For families with children, this is an ideal option — children gain the experience of living in nature without the extreme conditions of camping life.

If at the beginning of 2022 there were about 230 glamping sites in Russia, by 2025 their number was projected to grow to at least 500. Revenues from glamping tourism could reach up to 5 billion rubles .

Conclusion

Ecotourism in Russia is experiencing a period of rapid growth, which was greatly amplified by border closures and sanctions restrictions after 2022. The statistics are impressive: from 14 million visits to SPNAs in 2022 to 22.5 million in 2025 — an increase of more than 60% in three years . People are discovering Lake Baikal, Karelia, Altai, Kamchatka, the Caucasus, and dozens of other unique natural territories, the existence of which many had not even considered before.

Personally, traveling with my family across Karelia, the Vologda, Yaroslavl, and Tver regions, and venturing to the Southern Urals, the Tula and Kaluga regions, and Lake Baikal, I see how the infrastructure is developing right before my eyes. New accommodation options are appearing, eco-trails are being developed, and the level of service is growing. This is encouraging — finally, domestic tourism is becoming not a forced substitute for foreign travel, but a full-fledged, interesting, and comfortable way to relax.

However, rapid growth also brings serious challenges. A lack of infrastructure in certain regions, the risk of ecosystem degradation due to exceeding recreational capacity, and the discrepancy between the Russian approach and global standards all require systemic solutions. Without clear regulation and smart planning, "tourism can destroy tourism."

Nevertheless, the trend is set and is long-term. Russians have gotten a taste for domestic ecotourism and have appreciated its accessibility and quality of experiences. The development of infrastructure, the emergence of new accommodation formats, government support, and the growing environmental awareness of the population create a solid foundation for further growth. Ecotourism in Russia has every chance to become not just a fashionable fad but a full-fledged industry that makes a significant contribution to the economy and helps preserve the country's unique natural heritage.