The introduction of fees for ecotropics in the Leningrad region has improved the condition of natural areas

Starting from May 1, 2024, visits to six specially protected natural territories of the Leningrad Region became paid. As noted in the regional Committee for Culture and Tourism, the innovation has reduced the anthropogenic burden on unique landscapes and raised more than 3 million rubles for their maintenance. This was reported by the Delovoy Peterburg newspaper on July 24.

A fee of 150-200 rubles for Russians and 300-400 rubles for foreigners was introduced on the territory of the reserves "Lindulovskaya Grove", "Kurgalsky", "Cancer Lakes", "Vyborgsky", as well as natural monuments "Koltush Heights" and "Naked Devonian on the Oredezh River near the village of Belogorka". However, the fee is not charged for visiting the trails themselves, but for access to specially protected natural areas.

"With the funds received, not only the ecological routes located in protected areas, for which a fee has been introduced, but also the entire infrastructure of protected areas are being repaired and maintained. In particular, damaged stickers on information boards, canvases on signs are being changed, gazebos and decking are being repaired, markings are being updated, new facilities are being installed, and infrastructure damaged by visitors is being repaired," the committee explained.

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As the publication noted, in 2024, more than 1.5 million people visited the region's protected areas. At the same time, paid access did not reduce the tourist flow, but only redistributed it between different routes. The Trail 47 project is particularly popular, which has already created 51 ecological areas with a total length of 430 km.

Maya Lomidze, head of the Silver Necklace of Russia Project Office at the Center for Strategic Research (CSR) and Executive Director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), explained that the introduction of fees was necessary to regulate the flow of visitors. For example, the Lindulovskaya Grove used to accumulate up to 400 cars at a time, creating multi-kilometer traffic jams. The situation has now returned to normal, and the funds raised make it possible to maintain the infrastructure in proper condition.

According to Anna Lupinova, an expert at the Russian Union of Travel Industry (PCT) and head of the Silver Ring Group of Companies, organized tourist groups are more likely to choose hard-to-reach routes, such as the Kurgalsky Nature Reserve in the Kingisepp district. Ecotropics have become an important part of the excursion programs. They make it possible to attract tourists to areas that were previously ignored due to the lack of historical attractions, the specialist explained.

On June 16, Izvestia reported that hiking trails would be legalized in the Murmansk Region. Similar measures will affect the whole country. The relevant bill introducing the concept of "tourist trail" is planned to be adopted in the State Duma.

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