ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION OF RURAL AREAS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURIST-AND-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Altai Region, possessing various natural resources is considered to be one of perspective regions of Russia for the development of tourist activity. It stands out among other regions of Siberia, so one of the priorities present- ed in the Altai Region development strategy up to 2025, is the development of tourist-recreational complex. The development of tourism is strategic sec-tor of economy of Altai Region that assumes the formation of territorial zones of tourism as an element of diversification of regional economy. The development of Southern zone of Altai Region is based on using natural, la-bor and land resources. The specialization of Southern zone is the produc-tion of agricultural production and developed mining industry. The main volume of livestock production is made in the farms of the population (more than 75 %), crop production is in agricultural organizations of the zone. High level of investments into fixed capital per capita in certain regions of Southern zone is connected with fields and mining industry development. The main directions of development of the sphere of tourism in the borders of Southern zone of Altai Region are scientific and informative and excur-sion tourism on the basis of historical and cultural heritage of mining pro-duction in Altai (including mineralogical tourism); rural tourism; medical and improving; alpine skiing rest and beach recreation on lakes. Transport and social infrastructure allows organizing tourist routes in called areas, all these promotes effective diversification of economy of Southern zone and will allow creating new workplaces in the conditions of branch diversifica-tion, to reduce unemployment rate to the level of 2.5-5 %.