Agritourism as a way of rural development in Russia

Business Features

The main feature of rural tourism is the living conditions: guests are accommodated in old log houses or in antique-style estates located in areas with untouched nature, away from industrial enterprises and multi-storey concrete buildings. With the exception of complexes with a complete historical reconstruction, such village hotels provide visitors with amenities at the level of resort apartments: the rooms have bathrooms, air conditioners, televisions and refrigerators, and in the dining room guests are provided with three meals a day. The main meaning of this type of recreation is to separate the inhabitants of megalopolises from the usual hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in a leisurely and measured rural life. In addition, the tours are also of an educational nature: many townspeople have never seen an authentic folk costume, did not sit with a fishing rod at dawn and did not milk a cow.

In Russia, rural tourism attracts mainly women, whose share in the target audience reaches 70%. Living in the village can be interesting for other residents of megalopolises - married couples with children and young people who prefer a healthy lifestyle and ecological cleanness of the environment.

Another fairly broad category of tourists is foreign citizens who want to get acquainted with cultural traditions and folklore. For such guests, the natural environment, national flavor and authenticity of rural life are sometimes more important than the presence of a TV in the room. Considering that foreigners choose places for recreation mainly via the Internet, it is necessary to develop their own multilingual website with colorful photographs, descriptions of services and a price list, as well as regularly place ads on foreign travel forums and social networks.

Collective field trips are also common in the corporate environment: managers of various companies buy similar tours for their employees in order to conduct events aimed at strengthening team spirit and working out ways of interaction between employees. Such clients usually rent a hotel for a period of several hours to two or three days and pay much more for it than ordinary private visitors.

Finally, the concept of rural tourism development implies close interaction with tour operators: companies interested in cooperation on favorable terms will not only post information about home hotel services on their website and in promotional materials, but will also help in developing high-quality tourist product, organize a transfer and entertainment program.

Eco-tourism as a business

At least one house in a village. It's good if there is a river and a forest nearby. It is desirable that the place be as less civilized as possible. That is, there must be electricity, but water supply, gas and other benefits of civilization are useless. If not for you, then your friends and acquaintances will definitely find such a house. But even if you do not find such "real estate" in the immediate vicinity, then nothing terrible will happen, it is enough to drive through the villages, and you will receive a lot of offers from local residents who will rent out for guests, if not a house, then at least rooms. It is quite possible to do even with separate beds. This is not so convenient and will slightly increase the cost, but it is convenient because you do not have to invest in redecorating your home before starting work. The next issue to be resolved is transport. At the moment, hiring the same minibus will not be difficult.

Types of rural tourism

Clients of home hotels have different requirements for organizing their vacation: someone just wants to spend time in nature, others are interested in hunting and fishing, and still others come to the village to get acquainted with folklore and folk crafts. In accordance with the list of cultural and leisure activities, several of the most popular rural tourism programs are distinguished:

• Medical tourism. It is aimed at studying the means and methods of traditional medicine, collecting medicinal plants, as well as carrying out wellness procedures demanded by people with various diseases;
• Historical tourism. It is a complete immersion in an authentic old life, including accommodation in reconstructed huts with minimal conveniences and meals with Old Russian cuisine;
• Rural ecological tourism. It implies living in a remote village with a disconnected telephone, no television or the Internet. Various cultural events contribute to full immersion in rural life;
• Sports tourism. In this case, the countryside is used as a playground for various sports, hiking, orienteering, rock climbing, rafting on mountain rivers, horseback riding;
• Educational tourism. This type of rural tourism involves the study of classic folk crafts - pottery, art painting, wood carving, wickerwork, embroidery;
• Agricultural tourism. Includes outdoor activities with the opportunity to take part in the main agricultural processes, including grazing, collecting firewood, field work, haymaking, hunting, fishing, picking mushrooms or berries;
• Folk tourism. It aims to study folk art, rituals, oral tales and songs, visiting historical sites and museums, as well as festivals and fairs held in rural areas;
• International tourism. This type of tourism in rural areas can include one or several areas of interest to foreign guests - the study of folklore and folk crafts, history and medicine.

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