Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to identify the problems and prospects for the development of
ecological tourism in the Russian Federation. The content of the concept “ecological tourism” is disclosed and the reasons for the growth of its popularity in various countries in recent years are shown. Methodology: The leading methods in the study of this problem were the methods of bibliographic search, theoretical and empirical methods, the method of consolidation and synthesis of research results, methods of expert evaluation and comprehensive analysis of problems. Results: The results of the study are that, based on a study of statistical data, the place of Russia in the world in the development of
ecological tourism and specially protected natural territories has been determined. The large resource potential of the Russian Federation in terms of the development of
ecological tourism has been substantiated, and a number of especially unique natural objects recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites have been characterized. The authors identified a number of problems and promising areas for the most effective development of this type of tourism. The role and importance of environmental tourism as a locomotive of the socio-economic development of many remote regions of Russia, which do not have a powerful industrial base, but have a unique natural potential, are revealed. Applications of this study: Practical application of the results of this study is possible in the development of regional and municipal tourism development programs, as well as the formation of regional tourism products. The originality of the study is determined by an integrated approach to the study of the problems and prospects for the development of
ecological tourism in the Russian Federation, including at the level of regional and municipal entities. Novelty/Originality of this study: The novelty of the research results consists in substantiating the reasons for the intensive development of
ecological tourism in the world and in the Russian Federation, the conditions for the effective development of this type of tourism, promising directions for the development of ecological tourism, as well as the problems and priorities for the development of
ecological tourism in the Russian Federation.