Ethno-confessional aspects of agrotourism development in the Penza Region

in the context of growing interest in rural tourism, ethno-confessional heritage is becoming a vital resource for agrotourism development. This article examines the relationship between the settlement patterns of ethnic minorities (Tatars, Mordvins, and Chuvash) and the concentration of cultural heritage sites in the Penza Region. The study aims to identify the potential of ethno-confessional agrotourism and formulate recommendations for its practical implementation. Research methods include secondary data analysis, cartographic and comparative-geographical approaches, and spatial visualization using GIS technologies. This study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (Project No. 25-28-20463, https://rscf.ru/en/project/25-28-20463/). Results: A clear correlation was established between the compact settlement of Tatars and Mordvins and the high density of religious monuments. Chuvash communities, by contrast, demonstrate a weak connection with heritage sites. Most monuments are in poor condition and remain unintegrated into tourism infrastructure. Conclusion: Effective integration of cultural heritage sites into agrotourism is achievable through support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), development of rural HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering) infrastructure, and the creation of thematic tourism routes.

agrotourism, ethno-confessional heritage, cultural heritage sites, Penza Region, small business, GIS analysis