WILL TOURISM BECOME AN EFFECTIVE FACTOR IN SUPPORTING THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE LOCAL POPULATION (USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURYATIA)?

The article considers approaches to the analysis and measurement of the readiness of the local population from among the indigenous minorities to develop tourism activities in their places of residence and the impact of tourism on living standards. The analytical base is based on the results of our own sociological surveys of indigenous minorities in four areas of their compact residence in the Republic of Buryatia. The purpose of the study is to develop scientific tools for analyzing the development of tourism in the territories of traditional residence of indigenous peoples, to identify the attitude of the local population to the development of tourism from the standpoint of the tourist attractiveness of these territories, to improve the standard of living of indigenous peoples. The hypothesis of the study is that the indigenous population is interested in the development of tourism in terms of improving living standards. At the same time, they associate their willingness to work with tourists with the development of infrastructure, improvement of transport accessibility of the territory, targeted support for the development of tourism in places where indigenous peoples live, and environmental conservation. As a result of the study, the factors hindering the development of tourism activities (fear and uncertainty of the local population in working with tourists, poor transport accessibility, lack of infrastructure) were identified, and the benefits of tourism development were determined (obtaining additional income through the provision of services to tourists, creating new jobs, selling souvenirs from local raw materials). The scientific novelty of the study consists in the development of a methodological approach to studying the readiness of the local population to develop tourism and improve the quality of life on this basis. The elements of scientific novelty include the development of methods for assessing the readiness of the local population for the development of tourism. The results of the study can be used to develop tourism in places where indigenous peoples traditionally live and improve the quality of life of the local population.