The State of Tourism and Recreational Resources of Abkhazia in the Post-conflict Space and Aspects of Ensuring Sustainability

Abstract

Knowledge of the features of exploitation of tourist and recreational resources of Abkhazia is important for ensuring the safety of rare natural phenomena and rational nature management. Abkhazia, as the most demanded part of the resort and tourism industry, currently uses a very small part of the resources consumed annually in the 80-90s of the last century in the tourism sector. The reason is a difficult crime situation, an unfavorable investment environment and a low vote of confidence on the part of tourists.

The tendencies of irrational use of tourist and recreational resources under the actual government are clearly visible. Under the conditions of occupation, a number of facts of appropriation by the Russian Federation of the desired resort complexes have already become the norm. A luxurious state-owned villa built on the coast of Mysser was handed over to Russia in exchange for the restoration of the Abkhazian railway and airport. During the Olympics in Sochi, 1 million cubic meters of water will be taken from the rivers and coast of Abkhazia. The removal of meters of inert material has reduced the area of the beach through erosion at many seaside resorts. The export of a large amount of timber has become a prerequisite for the degradation of the ecosystems of Abkhazia.

In the post-de-occupation period, it is necessary to draw up a new landscape and architectural general plan of Abkhazia, with the national park of Abkhazia, functional zones and energy-saving ecotourism infrastructure. Prior to this, the active participation of international environmental organizations is important in order to preserve the existing unique biodiversity and ensure environmental sustainability.