Relevance. Rural tourism is a developing, promising field of activity with specific features. Clients are not just looking for an idle holiday, but want to get acquainted with local customs, and some even want to participate in the production and processing of agricultural products, which leads to an expansion of the range of farm products, stimulates the production of environmentally friendly products, the development of small businesses and the improvement appearance of the village. In the article we examined the essence and importance of rural tourism, described the potential of agrotourism in the Chuvash Republic, identified the main factors hindering the development of the industry, as well as problems that require solutions.Methods. In the process of observing, collecting, summarizing and processing information, various methods of analytical, economic-statistical, graphical and other research methods were used.In order to compile static statistical ideas about the state of society and public opinion in the region under study, a cross-sectional study was carried out, for which a questionnaire was compiled and an electronic survey of respondents was carried out.Results. The analysis shows the underdevelopment of rural tourism in the republic. Despite the high tourist and recreational potential of the republic, factors hindering the development of rural tourism have been identified: low level of development of rural infrastructure, quality of rural roads, poor Internet coverage, lack of modern hospitality facilities, rural residents are not ready for change, improving the level of service, they lack education in the relevant field.The emergence and development of government programs to support initiatives in the field of rural tourism can become an impetus for the creation and transformation of hospitality facilities in the countryside, and, consequently, the formation of a whole new tourism sector.
