Towards Green Travel: Application of Principles of Ecological Tourism in the Russian Glamping Market

Abstract

The article investigates the extent and peculiarities of the application of the principles of ecological tourism in the Russian glamping market. The main research question is whether Russian glamping can be considered a type of ecological tourism. The current state of the Russian glamping market is described, and the basic principles of ecological tourism are identified by the author. Ten Russian glamping sites were selected at random for analysis, and structured face-to-face and telephone interviews with managers of Russian glamping sites and glamping tourists were used as the primary data collection method. The author concludes that the principles of ecological tourism are widely used in Russian glamping sites, and that Russian glamping can, with some caveats, be considered a type of ecological tourism. As the main peculiarity of the application of the principles of ecological tourism in the Russian glamping market, significant lack of both an educational component and cultural benefits to the local area and population has been identified. Nevertheless, the Russian glamping market is moving towards ecological compatibility and green travel. It is suggested that the further development of glamping can contribute to the development of ecological tourism in Russia and, consequently, to the sustainable development of tourist destinations.