Rural and agrotourism: approaches to definition

The article analyzes the understanding the concepts of «rural», «agrotourism», and «farm tourism» by Russian and foreign authors. Updating of the conceptual and terminological apparatus in the field of tourism, including the refinement and consolidation of definitions of all types of tourism, is the important directions for improving the legislation of the Russian Federation. «Agrarian», «farming», «villagecottage», «green», «estate» - all these subspecies of rural tourism can be considered as a manifestation of the specifics of tourism in rural areas. The article identifies agrotourism as a subspecies of the rural, suggesting participation in agricultural nature management. A tourist not only lives in rural areas, has a rural lifestyle, observing local traditions and customs, but also participates in agricultural activities. Agrotourism, as a synthesis of related types of tourism, contributes to efficient agriculture, reducing the outflow of young people from rural areas, marketing locally produced products, increasing farmers’ incomes, and improving the economic situation in the regions. Agrotourism creates an economic base for the village development, contributes to the preservation of its traditions and customs.