Theoretical and methodological principles of tourist attractiveness of territories

Abstract

The article explains different approaches to the definition of the concept «tourist attraction». On the base of the analysis of different approaches, it is determined that tourist attraction is the property of a certain territory (city, district, region, zone, country, the group of countries) which meets the demand and needs of tourists. It was made clear that the level of tourist attractiveness is influenced by a number of factors, among which tourist resources and tourist infrastructure are important. According to the factors of influence, the components of tourist attractiveness are presented. It is determined that a number of methods and criteria are used to assess the attractiveness of territories and objects, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. It is noted that the shortcomings of certain assessment methods can be minimized as the result of the introduction of certain reservations. It was made clear that in international practice tourist attractiveness is determined by the greatest demand among tourists in regions with rich natural, cultural and historical resources, geographical location, the level of infrastructure development which depends on investment, recreational and tourist resources, and environmental state of a region. It is proved that in Ukraine the territories and tourist zones which have the most valuable elements of the ecological framework (forests, clear rivers, sea coasts, lakes, ponds, etc.) and outstanding historical monuments and places are called tourist-attractive. It is generalized that the expediency and necessity of the quantitative assessment of tourist attractiveness at the level of a country, sphere or a certain region is explained by the identification of those areas whose development stimulation will lead to the possibility of obtaining a positive economic effect in the near future.