Caravaning: influence on ecology and development prospects for small cities in Russia

The article discusses issues related to the conditions necessary for the development of automobile tourism in Russia and as one of its components - caravanning. The state of development of caravanning in European countries is analyzed, where it is one of the preferred types of tourism by travelers. The conducted research suggests that caravanning in Russia, in comparison with European countries and the United States, is developing at a relatively slow pace. Recommendations for the development of caravanning in the country are given. The points of view of experts and the scientific community on the impact of automobile tourism on the environment are considered. A model for the formation of roadside tourist complexes, taking into account the ecological approach, is proposed. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the impact of automobile tourism on the economy of small towns in Russia.