Decree No. PF-5611 “On additional measures for the accelerated development of tourism in the Republic of Uzbekistan” was adopted by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on January 5, 20191.

This decree is based on the following areas:

- Development of tourism infrastructure and creation of an acceptable and comfortable tourist environment;

- Diversification of tourism products and services aimed at different segments of the tourism market;

- Execution.

- Special attention is paid to improving the system of training, retraining and advanced training of personnel for the tourism network, tasks to be completed are identified.

The development of tourism is one of the most promising areas of economic recovery, having a stimulating effect on important sectors of the country's economy, such as trade, transportation, communications, agriculture, construction and the production of consumer goods. Since the beginning of the XXI century, the share of tourism in international trade in services is about 30%, it provides the largest income from exports [1]. According to the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), in 2019, the tourism industry accounted for 10.3% of world GDP, 7% of world exports, 27.4% of service exports, 9% of capital investment, consumer spending 11%, accounting for more than more than 5% of tax revenues, the tourism sector plays an important role in employment, and in the pre-pandemic period, 1 in 11 people employed in the economy worked in this sector [2]. However, the COVID-19 pandemic damaged the industry. Nevertheless, tourism is a highly profitable sphere of economic activity, and it acts as a catalyst for economic development in a number of countries and regions.

In explaining the concept of development rural tourism we see the diversity of foreign authors and international organizations. The International Tourism Organization has given the following definition of rural tourism: Rural tourism is a segment of the tourism market, which is characterized by recreational activities in nature in attractive rural areas and protected areas. This segment includes a range of activities from scientific tourism to wildlife watching, photography, entertainment (fishing and hunting), and sports and adventure tourism [3]. According to a special report of the International Tourism Organization in Madrid (2001), nature (rural) tourism in Germany is considered as a segment of the tourism market whose main characteristic is recreation in attractive rural areas and natural protected areas. This segment covers a wide range of activities from wildlife photography to hunting, fishing, sports and adventure tourism [4].

Table 1: Definitions, Data from the “Development of Rural Tourism” Category.

As we noted in Table 1 above, development of rural tourism is currently recognized as one of the most popular types of tourism in developed foreign countries. In modern international practice, rural tourism is often combined with other types of tourism, including ecotourism.

Currently, the geography of rural tourism is expanding significantly in France, Italy, Central Europe, the Balkan Peninsula, Germany, the UK, the USA and Canada. Also, rural tourism has a positive impact on the inner world of tourists. Because the tourist has a feeling as if he came to visit the owner of the guest house [12]. There are no hired workers here, food is prepared at home by the hostesses of the guest house. The main means of accommodation in rural tourism is the guest house, which “is a small, often family-run, service of short-term accommodation, catering, excursion programs, meaningful organization of guests' free time and other additional services [13]”.        

In the course of our research, we studied the work of our Uzbek economists along with researchers from non-CIS and CIS countries. For example, economist E.V. Golysheva in her textbook “Rural Tourism: Equestrian Theory and Practice” defined rural tourism as follows: “Rural tourism (agrotourism, green tourism, ecotourism) is the activity of city dwellers (both local and foreign) for the purpose of travel from the main place of residence to the countryside and / or participation in agricultural work, but activities that do not generate income at the place of temporary residence, aimed at the use of natural, cultural, historical and other resources of rural areas, as well as the creation of a special tourism sector of the tourist product [14]” she defined.

In order to achieve the main objective, this article includes the analysis of the opinions and views of the scholars, as very scientific research, using methods such as scientific-descriptive analysis, comparative analysis. Systematic approach and statistical analysis.

Rural tourism is one of the important areas of the modern tourism industry, which serves not only economic development, but also the preservation of national heritage and familiarization of the general population with cultural values. World experience shows that through the development of rural tourism, it is possible to achieve growth in domestic and international tourism. A number of resources play an important role in the development of rural tourism. They consist of:

1. Historical and archaeological tourism resources -historical monuments, archaeological sites and cultural heritage sites.
2. Ethnographic tourism resources - local traditions, folklore, customs, national games and various rituals.
3. Agrarian and agro tourism resources -agricultural gardens, farming, cultural landscapes and police activities.
4. Religious and pilgrimage tourism resources -holy places, graves of saints, healing springs and religious rituals.

Ecotourism resources -mountains, deserts, water bodies and other natural and geographical areas.

1. Recreational and health tourism resources - boarding houses, sanatoriums, mineral waters and nature reserves.
2. Activities of rural farmers - processes of production and sale of agricultural products.

The above mentioned tourism areas are interconnected and by developing them collectively, it is possible to attract tourists for a longer period of time. This serves the economic growth of rural areas and the improvement of infrastructure. Countries such as the USA, Canada, France, England, Germany, Italy, Australia and Spain have achieved great success in the development of rural tourism. Programs in this area are rapidly developing in Western European countries. Eastern European countries have not been able to develop sufficiently in this area for many years due to the influence of the former Soviet Union.

To ensure the development of rural tourism, the following measures must be implemented:

Improving the legal framework for rural tourism development;

Free delivery of all information and data on rural tourism to qualified tourists and information bureaus of developing sectors;

Financial support for farms participating in the program at the address;

Allocation of targeted funds for improving rural infrastructure;

Application of incentive policies in subsidizing farmers and establishing preferential taxes;

We are looking for investors to implement projects;

Ensuring percentage participation of the state in the privatization of rural tourism enterprises;

Continuous monitoring of the state of rural areas.

So, based on our analysis we came to the following important conclusions: firstly, rural tourism is a type of tourism that implies recreation in rural areas, interacting with natural areas and traditional culture;

Secondly, accommodation facilities in rural tourism are: guest houses that have preserved ethno-cultural features, hostels, private houses in farm or peasant households, small hotels that have preserved the unique architecture of the region. Rural tourism leads to economic growth of the region by creating new jobs for local residents and providing income-generating services;

Thirdly, the issue of rural tourism development in the republic has not been sufficiently studied. Therefore, it is advisable to develop a national strategy for rural tourism by studying international technologies and best practices. Organizing tourism in rural areas will create not only economically profitable but also new jobs for the population, preserve cultural heritage and increase competitiveness in the global tourism market. It is also possible to achieve socio-economic development by organizing recreation for city residents in villages, developing environmental culture and developing agriculture.

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