National artistic trades as a special brand of cultural tourism in the depressive region (experience of Ivanovo region)

Cultural tourism is the most dynamically developing direction in the theory and practice of world tourism. Theoretical and methodological understanding of this type of tourist activity causes many debatable moments, from positions both demand and consumption of cultural services. In this regard, the assessment of cultural tourism has to be carried out not only as a type of tourism, as well as the modern innovative technology for tourism development representing: 1) field of consumer tourist activity, 2) special area of business, 3) innovative technology of certain welfare objects de- velopment, and directly spheres of culture. Cultural tourism in the total share of the tourism market makes about 25% of total of tourist earnings, and according to forecasts of experts it will only increase. Permanent replenishment and updat- ing of cultural tourism types and forms, and in particular development of national artistic trades which are ubiquitous in the Russian Federation comes from the increase in the number of tourist trips with the cultural and informative purpose. Handicrafts develop small and medium business, and therefore play an increasingly important role in social and eco- nomic development of Russia. Considering the fact that not all Russian regions are provided with natural and recre- ational resources, national artistic trades can act basic, and probably the most innovative industries in the development of the tourism sector, and will help to solve the most acute socially important problems of the depressive region (Ivanovo region), which on a level of development occupies one of the last places in Russia.