EN
This paper aims to offer a review of research issues related to ethnic tourism - one of the dynamically developing "niche" forms of tourist traffic, considered to have a great potential for development. The examples of ethnic tourism centres from Ecuador and Mexico, where the author conducted field research, and discussed in the second part of the paper, illustrate the problems outlined in the introduction. The presented examples seem to prove the phenomenon of rebuilding, or reinforcing localness in the globalized world, which is debated by contemporary anthropologists, and more and more frequently discussed by geographers. Ethnic tourism shows in a focus both global tendencies, e.g. demand for "ethnic tourist products", and for processes having a local dimension, such as seeking new economic strategies in the changing external conditions which would permit the local residents to stay in the original place of residence, appreciation for the local traditions and consciously shaping the group identity. Ethnic tourism cannot be treated either as a universal remedy for the subsistence problems of the indigenous population or as a universal threat for their identity. It can take various forms; it can develop in different conditions and support various interests of its promoters. It seems chat the larger the share of local communities in taking decisions on the dimensions and forms of tourist traffic, the greater their ownership, the better the chances for the success of projects in the sphere of ethnic tourism. However, this success requires not only the engagement on the part of the hosts and their ability to organise joint activities, but also to change the attitude of many "guests''. Visitors should only expect to see "petrified in time", "original" traditions, thus being limited to "staged authenticity''. It is difficult to say whether an attitude of openness to live, contemporary cultural diversity may become a part of the spectrum of ethnic tourism or whether it will find its place in new forms "niche" of phenomena in tourist traffic. The currently observed popularity of ethnic tourism may imply that it has become a permanent feature of multi-cultural world. Studying its forms will certainly allow for a better understanding of the complicated sphere of contacts between various cultures.