Agrotourism as a direction of production companies business diversification in Rostov oblast, Russia

\nAgrotourism is fairly new, but rapidly developing tourism format in Russian Federation in a reorientation population to domestic tourism and careful attention by the state to ensuring tourist needs of the population within the country. The article is aimed at identifying the relevant array of formats for rural tourism development in Rostov oblast’s countryside, the system of natural and geographical and production factors of sector dynamics, and array of forms which production companies may be included in the composition of tourism-oriented business, using a rural tourism as a diversification tool. The research methods were SWOT analysis (tourism specialization development of production companies, factors and mechanisms analysis for the implementation of this strategy, statistical analysis of the production dynamics and tourism companies’ indicators involved in rural tourism. On the basis of the data obtained in the course of research a SWOT analysis an entering production companies into the agrotourism business was formed by authors. Authors formulated a system of macro-, meso- and micro-level factors. The study analysed models for the inclusion of regional production companies into tourism activities. The results obtained are the basis for the formation of regulatory measures and assistance to the development of the corresponding segment of tourism in Rostov oblast. \n