Problems associated with implementation of ethno-cultural tourism programs in rural areas of the Udmurt Republic according to expert evaluation

Introduction. In recent years, forms of funding and state support of rural settlements have been gradually transformed due to the mechanisms of project management. The study is of relevance due to the emerging commitment of regional and municipal authorities to use domestic tourism as a source of raising funds for socio-economic development. The purpose of the article is to reveal regional factors in the effective implementation of tourism programs in the context of coordinating the interests of cultural institutions and authorities. Materials and Methods. The study was based on semi-structured interviews with officers of the ministries of the Udmurt Republic and directors of major museums in the city of Izhevsk. Results. It has been established that the system of organization of activities in rural cultural institutions impedes productive segregation of duties and effective funding of cultural and tourist projects. The need to improve the mechanism of interaction between culture centers and local authorities has been revealed. In the situation when cultural institutions are experiencing a shortage of funding, implementation of a cultural project depends on the support from local governments. The study has shown that the heads of districts and municipalities do not always have sufficient budget funds, but can arrange for assistance from business entities. In this regard, coordination of the activities of rural cultural institutions and travel companies is of great importance. Discussion and Conclusion. Combination of two factors is necessary for the successful development of intraregional tourism: the problems of tourism infrastructure should be the object of governmental regulation; regional legislation should be improved to harmonize the interests of stakeholders in the fields of culture and tourism. The results of the study are of practical importance and can be used both by heads of rural settlement, directors of culture centers to substantiate tasks focused on the development of specific villages, and by representatives of regional ministries and departments for managerial decision-making in the region.