Regulatory and legal support of the environmental policy of cities as a factor of their tourist attractiveness

Abstract

The historical and cultural heritage of the major Russian cities makes them popular tourist destinations. They account for more than a third of the tourist flow. The city’s ecological situation may worsen due to the increased tourist flow, which also puts more strain on the environment. On the other hand, adverse environmental conditions may also contribute to a decline in tourism. Thus, one of the most crucial elements in attracting tourists is the city authorities’ attention to environmental issues. The study examined the target indicators of over 280 documents directly or indirectly related to ecology and tourism to analyze the environmental and tourism development policies of 34 major Russian cities. The most complex tourism development programs are found in tourist-oriented cities. Cities’ tourist attractiveness can be raised by more thoroughly defining the legal and regulatory framework of environmental policy, including how indicators of federal and national projects are reflected in their municipal programs and socioeconomic strategies.