EXCURSION SERVICES AS A TYPE OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE REGIONS OF RUSSIA: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The article analyzes such a type of economic activity as excursion services. The author's scheme reflecting the stages of the development of excursion activities in Russia is proposed. At each stage, priority functions of anexcursion are highlighted (educational, upbringing, ideological, cultural and cognitive, emotional and health-improving,psychological).The work compares data on the number of certified tour guides for two years, according to the federal register oftour guides. The comparative analysis shows the level of availability of certified tour guides in Russian regions in 2023and 2024. The analysis was carried out taking into account the number of tourist trips. It has been revealed that the averageavailability level of certified tour guides and guide-interpreters in Russia decreased from 0.2 per 1,000 tourists in 2023 to0.1 in 2024. The table presents the grouping of regions by the availability of certified tour guides and guide-interpreters for 2023 and 2024. The schematic map shows the groups of Russian regions calculated for 2024. In addition, the structuraldifferences among the regions in terms of the ratio of male and female tour guides and guide-interpreters in 2024 areanalyzed.The paper describes the mechanisms for supporting tour guides (training, grants, and competitions). The effectiveness of creating professional communities of tour guides is substantiated, which allows providing support to tour guidesin the off-season through a system of grants for individuals and legal entities.