Winter and ice-snow tourism in the coastal rural areas of lake Baikal: current state, problems and prospects

The article considers the problems of winter and ice-snow tourism development in rural areas of the coast of Lake Baikal. The article presents the results of the analysis of modern research indicating the growing interest in winter recreation related to the use of natural resources of ice and snow both in Russia and abroad. The development of this type of tourism is of particular importance in the coastal rural areas of Lake Baikal, since in these areas there are legal restrictions on economic activity due to the special status of Lake Baikal. Under these conditions, the development of winter and ice-snow tourism can contribute to the economic growth of rural areas, the creation of jobs. The article presents an assessment of the current state and trends in the development of ice-snow and winter tourism in the coastal rural areas of the Republic of Buryatia, as well as successful examples of event tourism, such as international festivals and competitions that attract tourists and contribute to the popularization of the region. However, the authors point out existing problems, such as the lack of necessary public utilities, transport and year-round accommodation facilities, as well as unregulated use of natural resources, which can negatively affect the environment and local population. The study substantiates the need for an integrated approach to the development of winter and ice-snow tourism in the coastal rural areas of Lake Baikal, taking into account both economic and environmental aspects to achieve sustainable growth in this area. The authors attach great importance to the organization of work on collecting and systematizing information on the use of the ice surface of Lake Baikal.