In the context of globalized processes, the importance of the sustainable development concept in solving the problems of local tourism systems development is growing. Unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis in the tourism sector, on the one hand, questioned the possibility of fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goals of sustainable tourism. On the other hand, they emphasized the need for balance between three pillars of sustainability, both as an urgency tool to cope with the pandemic crisis and as a solid basis for long-term development in the post-pandemic period. The study presented in the paper discusses sustainability issues in rural tourism as one of the most promising sectors for the development of domestic tourism on the example of the Russian tourism industry. The overall goal of the study initiated in the pre-pandemic period is to find ways to support sustainable rural tourism in Russian regions and to develop indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of local strategic development programs, taking into account national and regional specifics. This paper discusses intermediate results obtained with the adjustment for pandemic challenges. The authors combined a number of methods and techniques, namely desk research, statistical analysis, and analysis of empirical data obtained by means of in-depth interviews, as well as a survey using a formal questionnaire. The results confirm that Russian enterprises and local communities considered the three pillars of sustainability as important to develop tourism in rural destinations both in the pre-pandemic period and in times of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the findings show weaknesses in the federal and local policy, including the lack of systemic measures to improve the sustainable management of Russian tourism destinations. From the authors’ point of view, it makes sense to adapt the European tourism indicator system for sustainable destinations (ETIS) for local peculiarities. ETIS is a useful tool to boost the sustainable development of rural destinations by encouraging stakeholder engagement and monitoring processes. In the case of Russia, one needs to add indicators for monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation of strategic development programs in the field of tourism.
Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop and test models explaining the unsatisfactory innovation activity of Russian firms and the main obstacles to innovation cluster development. Design/methodology/approach -Based on statistical analysis and the results of a pilot survey of 192 local businessmen, followed by imitation modeling analysis, the study tests hypotheses regarding the impact of unsatisfactory institutional environments, including weak property rights protection, on innovation cluster development in Russia. Findings -The analysis shows that the impact of adverse factors on innovation activities of cluster members is crucial, and estimates to what extent the negative factors' influence should be reduced to prevent cluster degradation processes.Research limitations/implications -The models provide a number of sensitivity tests of the parameters; however, data from clusters with different levels of support and protection need to be obtained. Government experiments could be conducted to test the models and find ranges of optimal parameters for cluster development. Short of this, examination of actual data from different cluster in similar environments would allow estimated of optimal strategies for support. Longitudinal data can also help determine the actual cause and effect of successful innovation cluster development. Practical implications -The paper provides managerial implications for organizations involved in innovation clusters, which can be used to improve cluster members' performance and collaborative innovation activities by means of creating acceptable institutional environments. Originality/value -The paper provides evidence of the connection between collaborative activities of clustering organizations in Russia and their performance caused by expectations concerning institutional conditions on the macro level in Russia.
The purpose of the study is to provide a theoretical justification and offer practical recommendations on the effective formation and functioning of an innovative mechanism for managing local systems in the tourism and recreation sector. The study presented in the article examines issues of local tourism system management through the example of tourism and recreation in the Volga Federal District, Russia. The authors analyse conceptual approaches to innovative management of local tourism and recreation systems and propose an innovative mechanism for local systems management in the Volga Federal District.
In the previous decade, the Russian tourism industry has shown steady development. But in 2020, due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation is close to disaster. It is necessary to provide not only urgent support for industry actors but also the conditions for the successful resumption of their activities in the long term. The pandemic raised the question of joint survival – both literally and figuratively. The tourism industry is a good example to understand that it is possible either to bring the situation to a complete catastrophe or to provide a relatively good start for recovery in the foreseeable future. It all depends on how market actors behave and what decisions will be made by the state. For market actors, it is important to understand that the successful development of business ecosystems involves not only competition but also mutual assistance, which is extremely important for the progressive development of any industry, especially in times of crisis. For the authorities, it is important to understand that tourism may turn out to be not a burden, but one of the engines of economic recovery if taxation is changed and the focus is on supporting domestic and inbound tourism.
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