РЕГИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ COVID-19 НА ТУРИСТСКО-РЕКРЕАЦИОННОЕ ПРОСТРАНСТВО РОССИИ

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourist and recreational space of Russia. Restrictions imposed in order to reduce the incidence of the disease have affected all areas of human activity around the world. The aim of the study was to identify regional peculiarities of COVID-19 impact on the components of Russia’s tourist and recreational space. The tourist-recreational space is studied in the process of its territorialization, which allowed us to perceive it in the form of territorial tourist-recreational systems. Considering that many of the processes caused by COVID-19 occur within the boundaries of specific regions, the subject of the study were regional tourist-recreational systems. A component-by-component assessment of COVID-19 impact was applied at the level of potential consumers (tourists), the tourist and recreational complex, and the level of the regional organization and management system. To assess changes in the structure and geography of tourist demand, we applied search query analysis. The impact of COVID-19 on enterprises of the tourist and recreational complex of Russian regions was assessed with the use of statistical analysis methods as applied to the indicators characterizing tourist flow, operation of collective accommodation facilities and tourist firms and provision of tourist services for the population. Using content analysis of news web-portals and having studied the websites of executive authorities, we have analyzed the organization and management component of the regional tourist and recreational system. The results obtained indicate changes in the structure and geography of tourist demand and in the criteria for selecting a destination. We have identified the regions where the tourist and recreational complex was practically unaffected by the adopted restrictions and the most affected regions. As a result of the study, a model of COVID-19 impact on the components of the tourist and recreational system has been developed. The study can be used by executive authorities to make alterations to the documents concerning territorial planning and management and to improve the effectiveness of the support measures implemented in the post-pandemic period.