Gorlova N. I., Kovalchuk A. P. Volunteering as a means of promoting tourism in rural areas // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2024. V.9. №2. P. 197-211.

DOI: 10.22394/2500-1809-2024-9-2-197-211

Annotation

One of the main goals of the Russian volunteer movement to develop environment in small rural areas. The authors assess the current state of the Russian volunteer movement in the context of developing rural areas and local communities, emphasizing the activities of the all-Russian social movement ‘Volunteers of Culture’. The authors identify functions and directions of the proactive citizens’ volunteer efforts and the role of volunteer practices in increasing regional tourist attractiveness and hospitality of local communities; argue that the tourism sector became a priority on the social agenda of the volunteer movement and work. On the example of socially significant projects implemented in Russian villages, the authors show both the results of the integration of volunteer activities into the rural tourism field and the positive effect of such volunteering for the development of local rural communities. Thus, volunteer activities reflect the degree of public participation in solving significant rural problems, and the authors emphasize educational, methodological and motivational measures to support and popularize the role of the volunteer movement in promoting rural tourist facilities and routes.

Keywords

Volunteering, volunteer work, social movement ‘Volunteers of Culture’, local territories, rural tourism, tourist routes, sustainable development.

About the authors

Natalya I. Gorlova, DSc (History), Associate Professor, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Stremyanny Per., 36, Moscow, 115054, Russia.
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Andrey P. Kovalchuk, PhD (Economics), Associate Professor, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, Stremyanny Per., 36, Moscow, 115054, Russia.
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The article was submitted on 20.02.2024.