2. Trends in tourism Rural tourism

Rural tourism is one of new trends in modern tourist industry. There is no single definition of rural tourism, but it is generally agreed that the term implies

• activities that take place in the countryside as opposed to in cities, or in other urbanized spaces such as coastal or island holiday resorts;

• tourism on a small scale;

• employment and income for local people, but without becoming the dominant economic activity in an area;

• the recovery of local traditions, arts and crafts, architectural, and farming practices;

• services and activities that are based principally on local products and resources;

• the sustainable use of natural resources such as forests, rivers, or landscape.

Accommodation is one of the most visible features of rural tourism. However, it needs to be small-scale, rural hotels usually have fewer than twenty rooms. Other rural accommodation includes self-catering apartments and houses, bed and breakfasts, and campsites.

An important function of all rural tourism is the recovery of all aspects of an area’s local culture. This can be crafts such as pottery, weaving, or carving, or local architectural styles, food, or drink. Traditions, dress, and festivities are also recovered in this way.

Increasingly, visitors to rural areas want to get as close as possible to the lifestyle and customs of the local people. One way that they can do this is to work with them. This can mean helping farmers around the farm, or helping local builders reconstruct walls or pathways. In some places it is possible to live in the house of a local person as if you were a member of their family.

There are dangers in rural tourism. If it becomes popular, too many people may go to a particular place and so damage the natural or cultural resources. In this respect it is important to educate visitors so that they are sensitive to both the physical and cultural environments of area they are visiting.

3. Tourism development in any certain country Tourism in Mexico

Mexico is the seventh most popular tourist destination. Tourism in Mexico is growing very quickly; it is the second after the oil industry. The government and business recognize the importance of tourism for the country. State and business organizations develop a modern tourist infrastructure, improve tourist facilities and services. Mexico offers beach holidays, cultural and exotic tours.

The north of the country is associated with cowboy films, great mountains, deserts, canyons, plains, and giant cacti. In the south you can find green tropical plains and spectacular rainforests on the Atlantic coast. Picturesque coastal sites and beach resorts, such as Acapulco, Merida, Veracruz, La Paz, Cancun are favorite tourist destinations.

There is something very special about the Mayan culture and the beauty of their great stone cities and pyramids in the jungle. We know that they had a very good knowledge of astronomy. They observed and predicted the phases of the moon and solar and lunar eclipses. Today there still remains the mystery of their sudden decline and disappearance before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16^th century.

Mexican food is hot and spicy. Don’t miss the chance to try Tex-mex! It’s delicious. It’s a good idea to buy souvenirs in the markets. They sell a lot of Indian arts and crafts, so ceramics and rugs are nice gifts for your friends and family.

Well, Mexico is a wonderful place to relax and find out more about the world and people.