Волонтерство как инструмент развития туристической привлекательности муниципальных образований Российской Федерации

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the readiness and involvement of the local population in volunteer practices in the field of tourism. The key research method was determined by a questionnaire survey of the population (N = 768 people) conducted in 2021. It is concluded that local residents are aware of the importance of their role in attracting tourists and shaping their positive impressions of visiting their urban / rural settlements. However, in general, the activity of local residents in this area is very low. The key areas of work of volunteers in order to develop the tourist attractiveness of the territory: participation in the restoration of monuments and objects of cultural and historical heritage, in mass holidays and folk festivals, as well as participation in the organization of creative teams and clusters. The conclusion is made about the need to expand the directions and forms of volunteer work, to ensure the integration of volunteer projects into the creation of a competitive tourist product. For a part of the population, volunteering as a form of public participation in resolving issues of territorial development is perceived with a negative connotation, which requires targeted work of the authorities with public opinion, rebranding of volunteering practices. This conclusion is confirmed by the fact that the key information channels for volunteering projects in the field of tourism today are not government structures, but social networks.