Problems and factors of health tourism development within the framework of rural tourism (on the example of the Crimea)
Objective. The purpose of this article is to define the concepts of health and wellness tourism. Wellness tourism has several features that allow to use it in rural areas. The author of the article considers indicators of the state of rural infrastructure, the weaknesses of rural tourism, the reasons for choosing rural tourism in Crimea. Methods. The methodology of the work is based on the application of methods of statistical analysis and general and special methods of scientific knowledge - analysis, synthesis and observation. Results. The author claims that it should highlight wellness tourism as a separate type, not mixing it with health tourism. The development of health tourism has great prospects in rural areas. But at present rural tourism is less than one percent of the total tourism in Crimea. This figure can be increased. Significant tourist flow cannot be achieved without the investment in rural infrastructure, improving the comfort of existing locations and creating new ones, that use modern technology. It is required the adoption of educational programs for entrepreneurs and the rural population and the formation of the image of tourist destinations of each region of the Crimea. Conclusion. It is necessary to create a strategy and a state program of development of rural tourism in the structure of programs of social and economic development of municipal formations, particularly grassroots, in rural areas. The strategy should include the organizational-economic levers, the accurate indicative implementation mechanism, the establishment of a mechanism of investment attractiveness, in particular the reduction of interest rates of crediting and subsidizing of the program. An important issue is the formation of capable, effective tourist destinations in the regions of the Crimea, the formulation of strategic objectives and the development of rural tourism.