Current geopolitical changes and trends in socio-economic development increase the
importance and prospects of development of domestic tourism. Emerging opportunities are
significant not only for well-known destinations and tourist products, but also for tourism
products and routes that by their attractiveness is competitive with the objects of mass tourism
demand. Considering the possibilities of development of weekend tourism, flashpacker and
trailering, can be concluded that the sector of rural tourism in all its diversity, can attract a
significant part of the tourist flow.
At present, rural tourism is not a mass leisure activity. Researches of needs and interests
of tourists are known. However, there are no researches revealing assessment of the prospects of
existing or potential rural tourism projects. With that, it should be emphasized that they are not
only important for investors or business leaders, but also for tourism administrations as a tool to
identify barriers or areas of support of rural tourism projects.
Rural tourism - one of the most famous and popular forms of recreation. Many experts
note its ability to compete with the leaders of the global tourism - beach and cultural tourism.
Stavropol Krai of the Russian Federation is region with high level of agricultural development
and rich touristic and recreational potential. Development of private sector in agriculture
industry, aspiration of small and large private companies to diversify their activities by
expanding non-agricultural segment caused the formation and development of rural tourism.
Variety of tourism resources and cultural heritage of Stavropol region allowed entrepreneurs to
create different tourist products in the segment of rural recreation. In the current context the
formation of rural tourism industry in the Stavropol region is the rightful issue. The author has
conducted marketing research to study the attitude of agriculture entities in Stavropol region to
engaging in tourist activities. The data obtained show the positive attitude of agriculture entities
of the region to the tourist activity. However, more than 89% of respondents consider it
necessary to develop a state policy in the field of rural tourism at the federal and regional levels.