Ecotrail development and maintenance as a prerequisite for managed ecotourism in the Baikal Natural Territory

According to the Concept of development of domestic and inbound tourism in the Russian Federation for 2019-2025, a unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal and the Baikal Natural Territory has a high potential for the development of ecological tourism. In this regard, the issues of creating the infrastructure of organized ecotourism, the most important component of which are ecological paths, are of particular relevance. The article focuses on the analysis of various approaches to interpretation of the concept of "trail", which are characterized by an originality in the definition of its content and purpose. An ambiguous interpretation of the concepts of “ecological tourist trail”, “educational and tourist trail” at the legislative level has been noted. The experience of foreign countries in this direction presented in the article contributes to the understanding of the role that ecological trails can play in creating a quality ecotourism product. The project of creating the Great Baikal Trail, which is the most revealing and responsible way to promote the development of eco-tourism in areas with a vulnerable ecosystem, is considered. The possibility of creating and arranging ecological trails as an important component of the supporting infrastructure of the emerging tourist cluster “Posolsky” is substantiated. The study uses methods of analysis, comparison, field research and geographic information mapping. The results of the study can be applied in the study of the design, construction and operation of ecological trails as a necessary condition for the development of organized ecological tourism.