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Main article: Tourism in Russia
Chronicle
2025
Increase in attendance of national parks by 3 times to 21 million people
The number of visitors to national parks Russia in 2025 exceeded 21 million people, which is more than three times higher than in 2020, when 6.7 million visits were recorded. This was announced on December 23, 2025 by the Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology. Alexander Kozlov
According to Interfax, the minister spoke at the Rossiya national center as part of the Platform of the Future: 100 Projects of Russia program. Alexander Kozlov said that tourist interest in national parks is growing steadily. He stressed that this is a large figure, but the department sets the task of increasing attendance even more.
The press service of the Ministry of Natural Resources clarified that as of December 1, 2025, the number of visitors to national parks amounted to 21.6 million people. The growth dynamics demonstrates an increase in the interest of Russians in domestic environmental tourism. Threefold growth in five years indicates the popularity of natural areas.
Alexander Kozlov said that the department received support as part of a new national project. Funding has been allocated to build infrastructure in national parks. The funds are aimed at developing comfortable conditions for tourists while preserving natural areas.
The minister recalled that tourists are allowed to visit only a part of the territories of national parks and reserves. The territories available for tourism are 6 million hectares. The total area of federal specially protected natural areas is 76 million hectares.
Alexander Kozlov noted that in addition to federal ones, there are regional and municipal national parks. Their number in all regions in total is about 12 thousand units. An extensive network of protected areas covers the entire country.
The minister stressed that within the framework of the creation of infrastructure for ecological tourism, all conditions should be created for a comfortable and safe rest. The development of tourism infrastructure requires a balance between accessibility and conservation. Equipped routes reduce the negative impact on ecosystems.[1]
Mikhail Mishustin approved the creation of the Azov-Sivash National Park in the Kherson region
In December 2025, the Russian government approved the Decree on the creation of the Azov-Sivash National Park in the Kherson Region. The corresponding document, number 1998, was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. Read more here.
2024: The most visited national parks
Roszapovedtsentr of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia published data on the most visited national parks in the country in 2024. According to the data presented in February 2025, the Kislovodsk National Park became the leader with an indicator of 5.14 million visitors.
The second place in the ranking was taken by the Sochi National Park, which was visited by 2.79 million tourists, and closed the top three "Elk Island" with an indicator of 1.67 million visitors.
Kislovodsk National Park is the largest man-made park in Europe, covering an area of 966 hectares. The head of Kislovodsk, Yevgeny Moiseev, emphasizes the uniqueness of the park's terrenkurs - special therapeutic paths that contribute to the restoration of health.
Laura Nakoryakova, Deputy Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Expertise of the Gaidar Institute, notes the growing interest of citizens in cultural, educational and natural tourism. This is facilitated by the development of tourist infrastructure, including the construction of ecotropes, campgrounds, visit centers and equipped parking lots.
Alexander Zheleznyak, an expert in the field of sustainable tourism at the Reserves eco-center, points out the need to design a specialized infrastructure for specially protected natural areas, taking into account the specifics of each zone.
In order to develop ecological tourism, national parks are introducing digital services, including electronic passes, navigation applications and information signs. Tourist trails and equipped places for recreation are actively developing.
The total flow of tourists to specially protected natural territories of federal significance in 2024 exceeded 17.5 million people, an increase of almost 20% compared to 2023, when 14.56 million people visited these territories.
To control the tourist flow and minimize the impact on nature, modern TECont are being introduced, including the use of drones and CCTV cameras. Particular attention is paid to environmental education programs and training tourists in the rules of behavior in natural zones.[2][3]
Notes
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