A tourist cluster is what? Definition and concept

Many, probably, heard the term "cluster" in the economic sphere. But not everyone knows and understands its exact meaning. This concept is also applicable to tourist activities.

Definition

A tourist cluster is an association of organizations providing tourism services. In its composition, it has small and large firms, which constantly interact with each other. They are located on the same territory within the same region. The work is carried out both in the internal (travel inside the country) and in the external direction (foreign trips).

Why are there such associations?

The tourism business has a significant impact on the economy of the country. Therefore, its value can not be underestimated. For dynamically developing countries, tourism becomes a criterion for the growth of economic indicators.

Tourist clusters of Russia today are created with the aim of creating competitive tourism services, while using modern technologies of doing business.

Composition

The cluster structure is a hierarchical system. The head of the company is the management company. The state delegates to it the authority to manage certain economic areas. Relations are based on partnership. Depending on the direction of development of the tourist cluster Financial support is provided in the required amounts.

The management company, in turn, regulates the work of such units:

• Tourist operators;
• Agencies for the provision of tourist services;
• Organizations that provide services for the accommodation of guests (hotels, boarding houses, sanatoriums and others).

The next stage of the hierarchy are:

• Transfer companies;
• Food enterprises (restaurants, cafes, bars, etc.);
• Places of leisure and recreation (parks, gyms and playgrounds, cinemas and others);
• Shops with souvenirs;
• Objects for the repair of transport.

Objectives

At the state level, there are tasks assigned to such associations. In this case The tourist cluster is the concentration of tourist components in the country. That is, it is assumed that the state will become the center of world tourism.

It is also assumed that at the expense of large enterprises, the work of enterprises entering the cluster will become more efficient. There will be development of new directions, the inclusion of innovative systems and technologies.

The creation of a cluster makes a picture of the region and its prospects, stimulates the promotion and creation of new elements within the structure.

And cultural and tourist associations will help draw attention to the problems of preserving values. For Russia, the creation of tourist clusters Will be the impetus to improve the quality of tourism services.

Varieties and types

Depending on the tourist orientation, different types are distinguished: entertaining, museum, resort, ecological and other clusters.

By scale parameters, regional, local, national and trans-national associations (clusters) share. Larger ones can occupy large areas and influence adjacent structures. The formation of clusters occurs either for the intended purpose, or it is a historically established structure.

Russian Experience

In July this year, it was decided to form 17 tourist clusters on the territory of our country. Creature It is planned in such regions as Dagestan, Udmurtia, Karelia, Komi, Mari El, as well as Trans-Baikal and Krasnodar Krai. Areas for the introduction of such associations will be:

• Novgorodskaya;
• Bryansk;
• Volgograd;
• Tulskaya and others.

Baikal and adjacent territories have good potential. They are interesting from the point of view of ecotourism. In turn, the formation of large associations in this area will help improve the standard of living of the local population and will be the impetus for the development of industrial structures. It is planned that the Trans-Baikal area and new tourist Clusters will become the center of world tourism.

Good prospects are in the regions of the Vologda and Moscow regions. Ancient aristocratic manors, monuments of architecture and history - all this can cause interest from representatives of other states. It is important only to bring tourism to a decent level.

The creation of clusters in such regions as Karelia, Altai, will also increase their tourist attractiveness in the international arena.

The development of domestic and inbound tourism is important both for the country's economy and for international status. While Russian tourism lags far behind the level of other countries.

World Clusters

The experience of many countries suggests that large-scale integration contributes to improving the efficiency of the economy. The main centers are: Asian, European (Western Europe) and North American. In European countries, a tourist cluster is a developed system.

Thanks to the interaction of organizations with the state apparatus, the tourism of such a country as Italy today has a modern developed tourist infrastructure. Monuments of historical and cultural heritage are carefully preserved. They became the main sights of the state. All modern achievements are actively used, which makes tourism attractive.

For Israel, tourism is a key component. It brings 4% of the GDP of the state. Business and medical tourism - that's what distinguishes Israel. In this country, the cluster is not just an independent association of individual companies, but a clear interaction of all structures controlled by government bodies.

Principles of accommodation

Regions are unequally rich in various recreational resources, so the location of cluster structures is uneven.

Most often they are formed precisely in places with a high concentration of attractions, both natural and artificial.

One of the factors may be accommodation in a certain zone with the aim of raising the economic level.

Distinctive features of the cluster

• It is territorially attached to a certain zone.
• A tourist cluster is an open system, while a network has a limited membership.
• Interaction in the cluster is based on social values and trust.
• Compiles organizations to create a complementary system. Creates demand.
• It is based on competition and cooperation.
• Forms a collective image of the future, common tasks.

Example of a cluster. Republic of Belarus

The idea of this association is the interaction of objects of different purposes. It includes food enterprises, museums, guest houses, souvenir shops. All participants signed an agreement on cooperation in the joint service of tourists. Different directions have been developed: for schoolchildren, pensioners, foreign tourists. The organizers created a unique set of "Miracles of Shchuchin". It includes: Malomostiikovskaya church, which is a fortress, the palace of the Drutsky-Lyubetskiy, Rakovitskaya icon of the Mother of God. A distinctive feature of this region is the plantation of cork trees.

As can be seen, the formation of such associations ensures effective interaction and development of the tourism industry. The region in which the tourist cluster is located, the cities that make up it, will definitely get a boost to the development of its infrastructure and to improve the living standards of the population. We need a coordinated approach to activities, the formation of a financial base (by attracting sponsorship or state support), as well as the orientation of all components of the cluster to self-development.