Problems and prospects of ecological tourism development in Tula region

Ecological tourism is one of the ways of sustainable territorial development for solving key tasks of the postindustrial society. The development of ecological tourism in Tula region can contribute to: support and conservation of biodiversity; strengthening of the physical health of Russian citizens; increasing employment of rural areas and small town population; development of organic agricultural production; development of environmentally safe product market. The article analyzes the ecological situation in Tula, Moscow, Ryazan, Kaluga, Lipetsk and Orel regions. Air emissions of pollutants, the discharge of contaminated wastewater and the increase in the amount of solid domestic waste were examined as the main factors of environmental pollution. It is shown that the ecological situation in the areas under investigation has improved significantly over the last 16 years. A good ecological situation is observed in the Orel and Kaluga regions. The main cause of environmental pollution in the Lipetsk, Tula, Moscow and Ryazan regions is the activity of industrial enterprises. The analysis of natural conditions for the organization of preventive or health-improving procedures was carried out. The unique natural objects on the territory of Tula region, as well as the availability and condition of infrastructure facilities suitable for the development of ecological tourism were explored. The undertaken research shows that the region has the potential for the development of various types of ecological tourism: sanatorium-resort tourism, active tourism, and sports tourism, agricultural and gastronomic tourism. The main consumers of these tourism services can be both residents of the region, as well as residents of Moscow, Moscow region and neighboring regions.