Even when there are no white spots left on the world map, and modern technologies seem to be very soon equalizing everything and everyone, a person no less (or even more) strives for the unknown, to discover new lands, new peoples. And often, on the contrary, he returns to the land of his ancestors, looking for his roots. Therefore, ethnic tourism (as a kind of cultural) is a fashionable, rapidly developing direction in the travel industry jdl. As in other popular trends (gastronomic, adventure, rural tourism), the main thing here is motivation, purpose. And this goal is to get to know the culture, way of life, traditions of other peoples, to immerse yourself in their environment, to feel like one of them.

Almost everyone wants to make such a trip. Sociological research of Rostourism showed that 88% of Russians would gladly go on ethnotourism. However, experts note: this direction, despite its popularity, is more in the field of theory than practice, ethnotourism is still exotic. But its potential in Russia, where 180 ethnic groups live, is incredibly high. And Russians love to travel: according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), our country entered the top 10 countries in terms of total tourist spending on travel ($ 35 billion) and, together with France, demonstrated the highest growth in these costs (11%). However, judging by air ticket sales, the beach is still the most popular destination and destination.

The wrong side of globalization

“Time seems to have stopped. It seems that you are in the ancient Basque Country and communicate with them. Globalization has left these places untouched, “- shares his impressions of the ethnotour in Spain, associate professor of the Department of Foreign Languages ​​of the PRUE. Plekhanov Dmitry Enygin. He teaches a course on intercultural communication at the University of the Basque Country and has studied in detail what is meant by ethno-tourism in this region.

As defined by the UNWTO, the main motivation for cultural tourism is to explore and consume tangible and intangible cultural attractions. And these attractions are associated with a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual and emotional characteristics of society – art and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions. Ethnic tourism is essentially a part of cultural tourism. Only here we are not talking about the museums of world capitals, but about small peoples in provincial, often very remote from civilization corners of the planet.

On the one hand, he continues, ethnic and national diversity is one of the hallmarks of modern society. On the other hand, the life of ethnic groups and minorities in the context of globalization, rapid scientific and technological development, environmental crises and increasing information flows is becoming more and more complex. Thus, ethnic tourism is one of the options for preserving ethnic diversity and at the same time contributes to closer contact between representatives of certain peoples, the involvement of their culture in the world cultural heritage.

The tendency of modern society to self-study, to know oneself has brought ethnotourism to the main travel trends, Dmitry Yenygin continues this thought. And globalization provokes the desire for something local, unknown, national.

Since tourism is a branch of the economy, ethno-travel, if properly organized, make a significant contribution to the development and budget of a particular region: jobs are created, roads, hotels, restaurants are built. And local communities, being actively involved in the tourist business, can simultaneously earn and maintain their identity.