MANAGING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE ARKHANGELSK REGION: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

This article explores the problems and prospects associated with the strategic management of sustainable tourism development in the Arkhangelsk Region within the framework of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. The region has significant tourism potential due to its distinctive natural landscapes and rich historical and cultural heritage. A variety of tourism types are currently developing in the region, including Arctic, cultural, educational, rural, gastronomic, ecological, and self-drive tourism. The aim of this study is to analyze existing challenges and identify opportunities for the development of sustainable tourism at the regional level. The authors review approaches to sustainable tourism based on the work of Russian and international scholars, as well as the current regulatory framework, standards, rankings, and data from expert surveys. The key challenges facing the region include severe climatic conditions, environmental problems, insufficient infrastructure, an underdeveloped regulatory framework for sustainable tourism, and the limited adoption of ESG standards by tourism organizations. The study identifies a gap between the region’s significant tourism potential and its relatively low sustainability indicators. It also establishes connections between the strategic development priorities of the Arkhangelsk Region and tourism development areas aligned with ESG criteria. The practical contribution of the study lies in identifying prospects for sustainable tourism development in line with the region’s strategic development goals and ESG principles, and in proposing recommendations for authorities, businesses, and the academic community. These recommendations include developing a regional tourism strategy based on ESG principles, implementing environmental monitoring programs, introducing tour guide certification systems, and supporting the adoption of green technologies. Particular attention is given to engaging local communities, developing year-round tourism projects, and advancing the digitalization of tourism services.