TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF RURAL GREEN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN REGION OF UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the trends and prospects of rural green tourism development in the Odessa region, as one of the directions of diversification of rural activity for the socio-economic growth of rural territories and population enrichment. The article investigates the current state of development of green tourism in Odessa region. The scientific work analyzes the current state of employment of rural population and determines the relevance in the development of rural tourism. The key directions that will contribute to the activation of rural green tourism in the region are identified and the problematic aspects that have a decelerating influence on the processes in this field are investigated. Prospective directions and forms of further development of rural green tourism in the Odessa region as a socio-economic phenomenon for the revival of rural economy, preservation of its traditions and values are substantiated. Rural green tourism in modern realities is one of the most priority areas of diversification of economic activity of agricultural sector entities, is an alternative source of ensuring employment of rural population, raising its income and quality of life. The main priority directions for the establishment of rural green tourism for the South of Ukraine should be concentrated in the following areas: creation of regional agrotourism networks through the development of small, family and individual agrotourism business on the basis of existing tours of resources in rural areas: small family hotel and agro-infrastructure; unification of socio-cultural environment of historical objects; creation of large and medium specialized agrotourism objects, centers (sports, cultural, culinary); creation of state and private agricultural parks, complexes with appropriate infrastructure; at the legislative level, it is necessary to fix the legal definition of the concept of rural green tourism, it is necessary to differentiate between entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial activities in the tourism industry in the countryside, it is necessary to strengthen state support for agrotourism as a form of employment for the rural population, to organize training and vocational training for rural tourism.