Regional practices of children’s tourism in the system of demographic priorities

This paper examines the development and social accessibility of organized forms of children’s tourism in the Republic of Crimea as a tool for implementing demographic policy aimed at supporting families with children, improving the health of the younger generation, and mitigating spatial differences in access to health infrastructure. The results were obtained using statistical analysis, content analysis of regulatory documents, and a summary of empirical data extracted from open sources: official statistics (Rosstat), analytical materials from children’s health institutions in Crimea, regional programs, and scientific publication databases. The analysis of statistical data showed that over the period 2020–2024, the total number of children who underwent recreation and health improvement in the Republic of Crimea more than tripled. Inclusion has grown, resulting in the increased participation of children with disabilities, indicating the growing effectiveness of public policy. However, the structure of the tourist flow remains predominantly localized: approximately 65 % of all children who vacationed in the Republic of Crimea are residents of the Crimean peninsula. This limits the reproduction of social effects at the interregional level and reflects the consequences of logistical and geopolitical barriers that reduce the mobility of families with children. The main problems hindering the sustainable development of children’s tourism in Russian regions, including the Republic of Crimea, are identified. The study emphasizes that children’s tourism should be viewed not only as a segment of the tourism industry but also as a strategic resource for demographic development. Regional family and childhood support programs, integrated with children’s tourism infrastructure, can become a driver of demographic stabilization in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.