The alpine natural park "Ak Cholushpa" as an ecotourist interest area

Introduction. Ak Cholushpa Nature Park is a specially protected natural area located in the mountainous part of the Altai Republic. The park was established in 2011 on the initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on the territory of the Ulagan district, near the state borders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. The Nature Park borders on two sites of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Golden Mountains of Altai" – the Altai State Natural Biosphere Reserve and Lake Teletskoye. The space of the natural park has a wide range of objects of tourist interest. Sustainable eco-tourism is based here on natural and archaeological sites that create the image of the natural park, as well as its brand. The purpose of the study is to form an idea of the eco-tourist potential of the Ak Cholushpa Nature Park of the Altai Republic, in particular, based on the results of a sociological survey. The Nature park acts as a point of growth of sustainable ecotourism of the republic, and the tourist potential as a driving force of the economy. Methods and materials. In the course of the research, a systematic approach, a comprehensive geographical analysis, landscape, geo-ecological, recreational and geographical analysis were used. Field trips and hiking routes were conducted to describe the features of the components of the natural environment, landscape complexes, natural sites-attractions and cultural and historical sites to identify and assess the tourist and recreational potential. Radial field routes were carried out close to the tourist routes that are already functioning and are planned to be implemented in the Ak Cholushpa Nature Park. A sociological survey was conducted, in particular, a questionnaire, to identify the interest of recreants in the valley of the Chulyshman River – one of the main clusters of the natural park and the surrounding area. The target interpretation of the results was performed. The study used and prepared new cartographic materials using geoinformation technologies. Research. An idea of the ecological and tourist potential of the Ak Cholushpa Nature Park has been formed. The main objects of tourist interest of the natural park have been identified both on the basis of recreational-geographical and landscape studies, and according to the results of participants in a sociological survey (questionnaire). The results of the survey of vacationers showed the presence of interest in the natural and historical and cultural objects of the territory. Most of the objects of tourist interest in the region were assessed by respondents at the above-average level. Discussion. The conditions, opportunities and advantages of the development of ecological tourism in the Ak Cholushpa Nature Park are considered. The validity of the tasks of the nature park, consisting in the protection of natural and historical and cultural resources with attention to the ethnic identity of the population, as well as the possibility of generating income from the development of tourism business and providing livelihood for the local ethnic population, is confirmed. The main problems of the natural park – inaccessibility and insufficient transport provision - are identified and analyzed. Conclusion. The possibilities of the tourist space of the Chulyshman Valley of the Chulyshman cluster of the Ak Cholushpa Natural Park are great and diverse: Three clusters with a unique landscape diversity have been formed in the Ak Cholushpa Natural Park. They were created to preserve the authenticity and promote the Altai brand, as well as to develop the potential of international tourist cooperation, primarily in the border areas. The development of the republic's tourist space will continue and attract the attention of the public and scientists. The mechanism of development of this process, first of all, is based on natural and, then, on the historical and archaeological resources of the studied recreational space. Ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism based on visits to relatively untouched natural areas by human influence should play a major role in Altai's development as an international ecotourism space. The main scientific problem is currently connected with the development of recommendations on the use of the possibilities of the tourist space for both the local population and for Russian and foreign tourists. Resume. The article presents the results of research on one of the most promising for the development of nature protection areas in the Altai Republic – the high-altitude natural park "Ak Cholushpa". As a result of the research, it was found that on the territory of the natural park and the Ulagan district as a whole, there are both top objects for which tourists travel long distances, and so far little-needed, but unique locations of tourist interest. In general, the nature park is worthy of the attention of tourists. He makes a tangible contribution to the development of local authenticity of the indigenous peoples of Altai. In the future, the development of sustainable ecotourism based on the objects of tourist interest of the natural park and the entire Ulagan district will serve as an incentive for the economic development of the entire tourist space and the tourism industry of the Altai Republic. Suggestions for practical application and direction of future research. The results of the research can be useful in developing a strategy for the development of tourism in the Altai Republic, as well as in the development of international cross-border and cross-border tourism in the Altai region. It is necessary to develop proposals for the construction of new roads and an increase in the share of paved roads, for which the results of a sociological survey that showed the demand for objects of tourist interest can be used.