Assessment of recreational load on the social environment (as exemplified by the Lake Baikal shore)

Abstract

The prospects for socio-economic development in the regions of Cisbaikalia are associated with the development of tourism industry. The harmonious development of the territory, taking into account the interests of the local population and needs of guests of the territory, is essential to ensure security and satisfaction with the facility services, as well as the well-being of the local population. The article presents a typological approach for assessing the recreational load on the social environment of settlements. The optimal ratio of tourist number to the permanent residents, close to 1: 3 (0.3), was taken as a basis. Noted, that this ratio is a guarantee of the atmosphere of hospitality, and the local population does not experience a significant tourist pressure. Environmental models are also used and contribute to the most complete research of the adaptation processes of the local population to changes in the system of life, introduced as a result of recreational development of the territory. The waterside at Lake Baikal was selected as a model within the boundaries of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory (CEZ BNT). We revealed five types of territories according to the level of recreational load on the social environment.