Assessment and competitive advantages of ecotourism development in the Republic of Kalmykia

The Republic of Kalmykia is a region with a unique natural environment and rich tourism and recreational potential. Kalmykia has a unique historical and cultural heritage, distinctive culture and traditions. The nature of the region successfully combines... landscapes. There are a number of reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and a natural park here... These riches, donated by nature to the Kalmyk land, create unique opportunities for the development of eco-tourism. According to the Strelka KB project “Index of Tourist Attractiveness of Russian Regions,” the Republic of Kalmykia took 19th place among the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in terms of the attractiveness of natural attractions (45,655 texts were analyzed). According to this criterion: the share of positive texts was 76 percent (the national average is 31 percent), the share of negative texts is 24 percent. It is shown that due to its competitive advantages, the Republic of Kalmykia can be considered as the most promising territory for the development of eco-tourism.