An Area of Regulated Cultural Management in Altai: A Suggested Solution to the Problem of Ethnic Tourism

This paper draws attention to the problem of traditional culture being exploited for commercial purposes in Altai. The problem is intensifying as the development of large-scale tourism is being promoted here, especially in the form of so-called “ethnic tourism” that entails the objectification and commoditization of certain of its aspects. The author proposes an alternative approach, advocating a sustainable tourism based on the regulation of commercial or investment activity related to traditional culture and relying on local resources and traditional practices. The author suggests that the necessary condition for such a paradigm shift is the creation of a distinct territory of regulated cultural exploitation. To achieve this, he advocates consulting and cooperation with ecological activists, while at the same time warning against imposing their values and methods on the locals. Instead, control over protecting the traditional heritage should be returned to its proprietors, the indigenous people. The article concludes with the hope that such protected areas can become effective harbors for traditional culture.