The integration of distance learning courses as a solution for the objective of education quality improvement in the system of professional training in tourism

Modern realities of tourism development and education in Russia are characterized by high demands for future professionals in the field of service and tourism. Therefore, the problem of integration of distance learning in the process of training in the field of tourism today is very relevant. In this paper we propose a technique for distance courses «Tourist Regional Studies», combining elements of distance and e (open) courses for the training of specialists in the field of tourism. In the paper the steps of creating the course are identified and characterized, the peculiarities of elective courses in distance learning are established, and a general scheme of the distant course «Tourist Regional Studies» is developed. Fulfilled the task of identification and description of the main structural elements and forms of presentation: online lectures and webinars, electronic lecture, test and professionally oriented online assignments, discussions on forums, etc. Analised are specific forms of work for the course «Tourist Regional Studies» such as video and 3D-guided tours which ensure the visibility and effectiveness of learning. An important feature of the course is the possibility of converting all materials created by the students during the study course «Tourist Regional Studies» (with retaining the copyright) in educational tools that can be used as illustrations of standard products or information sources. The authors highlight the importance of implementing distance learning forms of independent work, as well as motivational blocks, such as «A metaphor for the course», «I wonder», etc. Attention is paid to the experience of creating the course «Tourist Regional Studies», tested in the course of training students of «Recreational geography and tourism» and identified are the functions of this course in the training of specialists in the field of tourism. The authors describe a pedagogical experiment of engaging tourism specialists and practitioners in the process of training in the field of tourism distance learning. Revealed that the introduction of an optional distant course «Tourist Regional Studies» in the traditional training improves the quality of knowledge of future specialists in tourism, as well as provides them with the skills of independent research and creative initiatives.