FORMS OF CULTURAL INTERACTION IN THE CONTEXT OF ACCESSIBLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The article examines the impact of affordable (budget) tourism on forms of cultural exchange between tourists and local residents in the Turkestan region. Unlike general overviews of the topic, the study draws on empirical data: a survey of 171 tourists who visited the region over the past year and 30 in-depth interviews with local residents. This design made it possible to identify both the positive and the problematic aspects of intercultural interaction in the context of budget tourism. The study clarifies the main characteristics of budget tourism, the profile of its participants, and the benefits it brings to both sides, as well as records the barriers (language barriers, cultural stereotypes, lack of infrastructure for informal communication) that limit the depth of exchange. Special attention is paid to the typology of cultural exchange—superficial, spontaneous, and mutual—each corresponding to its own level of involvement and sustainability of interactions. The data obtained showed that, despite the fragmented nature of cultural exchange within budget tourism, under conditions that support dialogue (accessible infrastructure, language programs, joint events) it can develop into sustainable forms of intercultural communication. Based on the results of the surveys and interviews, recommendations are proposed to enhance the socio-cultural effect of budget tourism: developing infrastructure for informal contacts, supporting local crafts and cultural initiatives, and introducing intercultural training programs for both tourists and  residents. Thus, the article not only describes the phenomenon of affordable tourism but also demonstrates its empirically confirmed impact on the transformation of local identity, emphasizing the need to take cultural aspects into account in tourism policy and outlining directions for further
research in the field of sustainable tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage.