ECO-CREATIVE SPACES AS TOOLS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study examines the role of eco-creative spaces in promoting ecological sustainability, fostering environmental education, and enhancing domestic tourism through regenerative practices. By integrating ecological restoration with creative tourism, these spaces mitigate urban degradation, rehabilitate abandoned sites, and reduce the environmental footprint of tourism. Through a qualitative analysis of regional case studies (Belgorod Region, Russia), we demonstrate how eco-creative spaces combine waste reduction, green volunteering, and biodiversity conservation with cultural programming to align tourism with sustainable development goals. Study findings reveal that such spaces not only revitalize degraded urban and rural ecosystems but also serve as hubs for environmental awareness, particularly among youth. The study argues for the broader adoption of eco-creative models in tourism planning to balance economic growth with ecological resilience, offering a replicable framework for regions pursuing sustainability.