Sustainable Ecotourism
in Kamchatka, Russia
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William Overbaugh, U.S. Bureau of Land
Management
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Alan E. Watson, Leopold Institute for Wilderness
Research
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David M. Ostergren, Northern Arizona University
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Peter J. Fix, University of Alaska -Fairbanks
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Linda E. Kruger, U.S. Forest Service
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Daniel W. McCollum, U.S. Forest Service
Presentation Objectives
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Introduction to Kamchatka, Russia
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Kamchatka'sGlobal Tourism Niche
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KamchatkaVisitor Survey -preliminary
results
Images of Kamchatka
Wild & Wonderful Kamchatka
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One of the last largely unexploited and relatively
pristine wilderness regions in the world.
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One of the most active volcanic regions in the world.
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300 volcanoes of which 33 are active with calderas,
cones, lava streams, cinder fields, over 160 thermal
and mineral springs, geysers, mud pots and many
other volcanic features.
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A landscape of dynamic beauty.
Selected History
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Until 1992 the peninsula was a closed
military zone as the base of the Russian
Pacific submarine and main fishing fleets.
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This isolation, combined with few roads and
settlements, has preserved much of
Kamchatka'swilderness character.
Kamchatka -Unique Tourism Niche
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In a populated and advancing developed
world, wild experiences are increasingly
scarce.
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Increasingglobal demand for adventure and
nature tourism coupled with increased
discretionary income and willingness to pay
for costly wilderness trips.
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Presence (in Kamchatka) of multiple valued
and distinctive settings and attractions.
Project Collaborators
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UNDP/GEF Four Protected Areas
BLM Alaska
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Kamchatka Protected Area Managers FS -RMRS
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Kamchatka Ecotourism Society FS -PNWRS
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Wild Salmon Center
University of Alaska
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Kamchatka Cruise Port Authority
Northern Arizona Univ.
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Kamchatka -Moscow Government University of Service
Tourism Program
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Petropavlosk-KamchatskyState Aviation Enterprise (Airport)
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Dept. of International Relations and Tourism of Kamchatka
Regional Administration
Background
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Primary goals of the project
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Provide stakeholders with information
about visitors
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Information to help improve visitor service
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Information to help improve stewardship of
Protected Areas
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This information reflects visitors from
July 14th to November 17th2007
Primary Purpose
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Research Question ---What are visitors
doing in Kamchatka?
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Survey modeled on work in Alaska
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Where are people going?
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What do visitors want to do?
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Are they satisfied with their experience?
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What do they know about the Protected Areas?
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How much money do visitors spend?
Study Methodology
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Data Collection Methods
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Exit survey in the airport
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Sampling strategy used bilingual students
surveying visitors on selected outbound flights
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Satisfactory response rate (but not everyone
participated)
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Low response rate for visitors from Japan and
Korea
Preliminary Results from a planned year-long
study—focus on Vacation & Business/Vacation
trips
Visitor Statistics
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2354 total surveys completed
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1316 of surveys were people who were in
Kamchatka on vacation, or a combination of
business and vacation
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All of the visitors went to at least one
Protected Area, and many went to more than
one
Where
are
the
visitors
from?
57% from
Russia
RUSSIA
749
USA
76
GERMANY
73
FRANCE
45
ITALY
27
GREAT BRITAIN
26
AUSTRIA
25
SWITZERLAND
22
UKRAINE
22
DENMARK
20
CZECH REPUBLIC
18
NETHERLANDS
10
BELARUS
8
LITHUANIA
8
ESTONIA
7
CANADA
6
JAPAN
5
POLAND
5
Visitor Days per Area
(People could check more than one site
or have multiple days per site)
Yujno-Kamchatsky Park 1001
Kronotsky Zapovednik 669
Paratunka Valley Hot Springs
543
Nalychevo Nature Park 514
Klyuchevskoy Park 311
Malki Hot Springs 236
Starichkov Island/Avacha Bay
217
Bystrinsky Nature Park 203
Malki Bystraya River (fishing)
169
Yuzhno-Kamchatsky Zakaznik
96
Commander Is. Zapovednik 10
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Source of
information
about travel
in Kamchatka
First Time or Return Visit?
---most people are on their first visit
1 --- 868
2 ---127
3 --- 46
4 --- 23
5 --- 14
6 + --- 93
Plans for a Return Visit?
Results for all visitors only on vacation
Do you plan to return?
#
%
YES, within next 5 years
481
36.6
YES, within the next year
247
18.8
NO, not within the next 5
years
183
13.9
Other
150
11.4
NO, never
33
2.5
Did not answer
221
16.8
Total
1,315
100.0
Type of Transportation used
in Kamchatka
704
536
478
396
334
277
151
Tour Bus or Van 704
Private Car 536
Helicopter 478
Public transportation
396
Taxi 334
Small Tour Boat 277
Cruise Ship 151
Guided Tours
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512 people purchased a package tour (39% of
those on vacation or business/vacation trips)
What kind of tour did you buy?
#
%
Protected Area tour
160
30.6
General trip in Kamchatka
155
29.6
Fishing
89
17.0
Camping
71
13.6
Favorite Recreation Activity
Activity
%
Fishing, freshwater
17.7
Photography
13.5
Trekking/hiking
12.6
Sightseeing
7.6
Camping
7.5
Helicopter sightseeing
7.5
Swimming, soaking
7.4
Birdwatching
5.4
Wildlife viewing
3.5
Favorite Recreation Activity
Activity
%
Climbing
2.9
Marine tours
2.1
Fishing, saltwater
2.0
Hunting
1.7
Botanical Tours
1.2
River rafting
1.2
Diving
0.9
Horseback tours
0.3
Preferred Visitor Experience
What was the primary
experience you were seeking?
#%
Escaping everyday pressure
309
23.5
Enjoying wild nature
202
15.4
Learning about nature, geology
and/or biodiversity
185
14.1
Enjoying a risk-taking adventure
in a new land
109
8.3
Discovering and exploring the
great outdoors
79
6.0
What was the greatest quality
of life benefit received?
%
Better mental health and well-
being
25.7
Greater understanding of nature
12.7
Greater appreciation for nature
12.6
Motivated to protect nature
6.9
Enhanced personal growth
5.9
Outcomes of Vacation Visits to Protected
Areas
What was the greatest quality of life
benefit received?
%
Improved physical fitness
5.2
Improved outdoor skills
3.8
Greater knowledge of Protected Areas3.7
Greater appreciation of local culture
2.8
Closer relationships with family/friends2.2
Increased capacity for artistic
expression
1.4
Outcomes of Vacation Visits to Protected
Areas
Important Services at your
favorite area
#
%
Cleanliness
726
69.9
Cabins
576
55.5
Maps
551
53.1
Gift & book store
528
50.9
Web site information
517
49.8
Help from staff members
480
46.2
Most Important Visitor Services
Results for all visitors only on vacation
Guide brochures
471
45.4
Law enforcement
468
45.1
Snack bars
463
44.6
Visitor center information
457
44.0
Interpretive trails
443
42.7
Campground facilities
390
37.6
Interpretive programs
389
37.5
Boat rental
304
29.3
Snowmobile rental
192
18.5
Most Important Visitor Services
Results for all visitors only on vacation
pdf