Assessment of the Potential of Gambling Tourism as a Restarting Factor for the Development of Tourist Destination of Greater Soch

Abstract

Research background.Currently, gambling tourism is one of the most popular forms of leisure allacross the globe. It is apparent that, when a business as lucrative as gambling has something to dowith thedevelopment of tourism, its impact on a tourist destination, both current and future, can be impressive.Research into this type of tourism reveals an interrelationship between gambling tourism and certain social-economic variables in the development of tourist destinations–the gambling business can be a crucialcomponent in the attractiveness of tourist destinations and facilitate economic stability and prosperity in thearea. The development of gambling tourism is regarded as a restarting andrenewing factor for thedevelopment of tourism destinations which can potentially facilitate their development through thereinvestment of revenue into their economic and political culture.Issues in the development of touristdestinations and gambling tourism have been examined in works byW.M.Abbott, A.A.Volberg (2006),А.Alegria (2014), L.Caneday, J.Zeiger (1991), M.C.Hall (2008), R.Harrill (2003), S.K.Kang,C.K.Leeb, Y.Yoonb, P.T.Long (2008), T.K.Lee, C.K.Lee (2014), A.A.Ligthelm(2009)and others.Research aims. The study aims to assess the potential of gambling tourism as a factor in thedevelopment of tourist destinations through the example of Greater Sochi.Inferences. The development of a tourist destination requires formingsome kind of supply, with theprocess of planning and development of gambling tourism approached based on integrated analysis,including by the local community. Taking into account the foreign experience of sustainable development oftourist destinations via the economic and social effects of gambling tourism, this impact ought to be assessedusing a model for establishing a balance between revenue and expenditure.The tourist destination of the city of Sochi as a tourism product is unique, with its peculiarities,various attractions, its original environment, culture, and history. Researchers, who generallyhave beenpositive in their assessments of the economic effect from creating a gambling zone, have also been stressingthe need to use this tool judiciously and competently. The assessment of Sochi by representatives of itsbusiness community and public as a gambling tourist destination is mixed.At the moment, the prospects of agambling zone in Sochi are quite undecided, as no site has been determinedfor the zone, there is a lack ofinvestors willing to do it, and there is no developed concept for the formation and development of agambling zone in Sochi.Gambling tourism could produce a positive impact, since it could attract well-off tourists duringtheoff-peak season. Immune to seasonality, it could ensure tourism flows all year round. Gambling tours, as acomponent in the destination’s tourism product, could help diversify and improve tourism products andservices, which would help attract new tourists and foster a new image for the destination, with a view toboosting its competitiveness.Keywords: leisure, gambling tourism, destination, gambling business, city of Sochi.