Sustainable Rural Development in Russia Through Diversification: The Case of the Stavropol Region

Abstract

The contemporary relevance of ensuring sustainable rural development is stipulated, on the one hand, by the growing economic and social backwardness of rural territories, and on the other hand by their ultimate importance for the nation in such issues as food security, preservation of soil and environmental resources, and the utilisation of agricultural, production and labour potentials. One of the key conditions of sustainable rural development is sufficient employment which provides rural inhabitants with a sustainable income which is competitive in comparison to urban territories. This paper includes an analysis of the current problems of rural development, based on the example of the Stavropol Region, one of the most agricultural regions of Russia; the paper addresses threats to sustainable rural development such as unemployment and depopulation, and substantiates the practicality of diversification of traditional rural sources of income by means of tourism and other alternative activities.

Methodology for Evaluating the Rural Tourism Potentials: A Tool to Ensure Sustainable Development of Rural Settlements

“…Despite the essential differentiation of countries in the context of development of rural tourism and the implementation of various practices, the overall tendencies are more or less the same. We have summarized four major tendencies from Ivolga [15], Erokhin [13], Heijman [4], Almukhamedova and Vilenskaya [11]:…”

“…(1) Seasonal character of rural tourism (tourists prefer to come during summer or winter, but not in spring or autumn) [15]; (2) Limited opportunities for implementation of high-qualified labor force (until now most of the employees with high qualifications have left rural areas and are seeking better jobs and financial benefits in cities) [4]; (3) "Erosion" of the local cultural and ethnographic environment (it is easier to offer tourists some popular product or service than to develop a new one on the basis of the local identity and to promote it) [13]; (4) Shortage of financial and labor resources for traditional agricultural production [11].…”

Examining the Effects of Environmental Components on Tourism Destination Competitiveness: The Moderating Impact of Community Support

“…The competitiveness of a rural tourism destination is very much depending on the availability of environmental and natural resources to lure tourists' attention to visit (Lokuhetty, Jayawardena, & Mudadeniya, 2013;Erokhin et al, 2014). However, the increasing number of tourists would lead to the deterioration of environmental resources of the tourism destination if it is not properly managed.…”

Examining the Effects of Environmental Components on Tourism Destination Competitiveness: The Moderating Impact of Community Support

“…While there are benefits from tourism activities for industry players and local communities (Knollenberg, 2011), extensive growth of tourism without properly plans and controls tend to destroy major tourism attractions (Sanjay, 2008). In fact, rural areas attract tourists based on their distinct culture, history, natural environment, beautiful landscape (Erokhin, Heijman, & Ivolga, 2014;Trukhachev, 2015) and community (unique ethnicity) atmosphere. Hence, without careful management, visitors can destroy sensitive environmental attractions at a location, effectively, "tourism can kill tourism" (Glasson, Godfrey, & Goodey, 1995).…”