THE CONCEPT OF REGULATED USE OF NATURAL HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED IN THE TOURIST CLUSTER: A RUSSIAN CAVES CASE STUDY

The rationale for our research arises from non-regulated use of caves for commercial and sightseeing purposes, which can significantly damage objects of cultural heritage or result in their complete destruction. In this respect, our paper aims to define the factors necessary for the development of nature preserves and tourist centers that provide for the preservation of caves that are properly maintained and used by the public. The paper employs a multidisciplinary approach based on inter-connections among geological, social, and economic research methods. Geological methods provide complex monitoring of cave environments to ensure that they are not being adversely impacted and remain popular tourist destinations. Social and economic methods allow development of a business model to ensure that their operation is economically sustainable. The authors apply a model of step-by-step formation and development of a cave-related nature preserve and tourist center, exemplified with the case study of the Sablinsky tourist center (Leningrad District), including complex research of the geology, establishment of a nature preserve and tourist unit, development of a self-financing operating plan, cave zoning that allots areas for natural and cultural interpretation, but restricts tourists to special routes, and touristic infrastructure. This paper is intended as a practical guide for promoting the development of domestic tourism in Russian regions and creating new tourist clusters around objects of natural and cultural heritage, while implementing an effective protection of the natural geology and limiting anthropogenic impacts.