Inclusive eco-tourism routes in the Kaliningrad region: from theory to practice

Abstract. The article considers the development of inclusive eco-tourism in the Kaliningrad region on the experience of implementing the project with the support of the Presidential Grants Fund in 2022. Inclusive tourism is an important tool for the socialization of persons with disabilities (PWD). As a part of the project, eight excursion programs were developed and implemented for children: wheelchair-persons and PWD. The programs of excursion routes were developed taking into account visits to a specific natural object — the protected natural area of the Kaliningrad region (PA). The geography of excursion programs was planned and implemented according to the degree of complexity of the routes. In addition to inclusive excursions, two training workshops were held to train teachers and specialists working with children with disabilities. Implemented inclusive practices contributed to the development of tourist destinations in the region, and excursion programs made it possible for children to travel to different parts of the Kaliningrad region to visit unique natural areas. The integration of learning to interact with disabled people and eco-tourism destinations has made it possible to improve practice-oriented forms of inclusive environmental education and tourism while implementing the excursion programs. Developed routes of inclusive eco-tourism can be used for educational, local history and cognitive activities for children with disabilities.

Keywords: inclusive tourism, environmental tourism, accessible environment.