Promising Directions for the Development of Popular Science Tourism in the Rostov Region

Introduction. The problem of the publication is related to the problem of formation and implementation of popular science tours in a specific region as a specific type of tourism. In this regard, it is relevant to consider the specifics of popular science tourism and the prospects for its organization in the Rostov region. The purpose of the article is to identify promising areas for the development of popular science tourism in the Rostov region based on the analysis of the specifics of popular science tourism.Materials and Methods. The following scientific methods are used in the study: comparative analysis, which allows comparing the subjects of the Russian Federation by the level of development of popular science tourism; documentary, which facilitates the inventory of existing program documents in the field of popular science tourism; prospective, on the basis of which the directions of further development of the type of tourism under study are determined; and the “keys” method, within the framework of which the Rostov Region was considered as a key object for the formation of popular science routes.Results. The conceptual and terminological apparatus of the researched problem, materials of domestic and foreign researches of popular science tourism are analyzed and the applied methodology is described. The current state of popular science tourism in Russia is analyzed, in particular, the distribution of existing routes by administrative subjects of the country. The main program documents on the researched topic are studied.Discussion and Conclusion. Focusing on the Rostov Region as a “key” region, the authors identified promising areas for organizing popular science routes, such as the formation of comprehensive excursion programs based on universities, expansion of the interactive component and integration of popular regional tourist destinations into tours. The content and advantages of each of the proposed areas are determined from the standpoint of including the Rostov Region in the sphere of popular science tourism.