Creative tourism: opportunities for historical, cultural and economic development of the regions

The purpose of the article is to analyze the potential of creative tourism in the context of historical, cultural and economic development of regions. The methodological basis of the study is a system of general scientific methods. The conceptualization of creative tourism was studied by applying the method of content analysis of open sources of information. The methods of analysis and synthesis allowed for a comparison of different approaches to defining the essence of creative tourism, while the method of generalization made it possible to combine existing research results and identify key factors for the success of creative tourism projects. The study also relies on the use of comparison and systematization methods. Scientific novelty. The study identifies the main aspects of the impact of creative tourism on the historical, cultural and economic development of regions. Research results. It is proved that creative industries need support and active involvement in tourism activities. The development of the creative sector ensures close interaction between representatives of culture, business, education and local communities, which is an important factor in sustainable development. It has been determined that creative tourism is characterized by a focus on the active participation of tourists in the cultural and creative life of the destination, activates social interaction, stimulates innovation in tourism practices and contributes to the formation of sustainable models of territorial development. The creative potential in tourism can be effectively realized through the use of the historical and cultural heritage of the territories. It has been established that the participation of tourists in local festivals is a positive practice, which intensifies the development of related industries, such as gastronomy, hotel and restaurant business, transport, souvenir production, etc. Creative tourism should be seen as a tool for economic development, particularly in rural areas. Individual creative routes involving local people are gaining popularity. Ethnic camps and educational residences occupy a separate niche in the context of creative tourism. Creative tourism has significant potential and creates opportunities for economic development, intercultural dialogue, and social integration, and therefore requires comprehensive research.