Ecotourism: theoretical foundations and modern regional specificity

Aim. The paper aims to systematize theoretical studies in ecotourism and to define the prospects for its development in the Siberian region. Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological foundations of the study are Russian and foreign publications on ecotourism. The following theoretical and empirical methods were used for the purpose of the study: retrospective analysis, synthesis, comparison. Results. In the course of the study, different approaches to the content and definition of ecotourism, as well as its functions and types were analyzed. Conclusion. The regional potential of protected natural areas and its specificity were identified within the context of ecotourism in the natural areas of the Novosibirsk region.