Theoretical fundamentals of quest excursions as an innovative method of providing excursion services

Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide theoretical fundamentals of quest excursions as a means of domestic tourism development.
 Methodology. The author has used systemic and comparative approaches as well as a problem and analytical analysis to examine the principles, focus areas and the research trends at the market of excursion services, in particular — quest excursions.
 Results. The excursion services are an integral part of Ukrainian tourism industry, while the emergence of innovative methods only contributes to the development of the state economy. Quest excursions play an important role in terms of popularization domestic tourism, while demonstrating significant development potential. However, today there are some sporadic attempts to implement this area of excursion services, which can lead to errors in the organization and the formation of a negative attitude to quest excursions among tourists. This article offers theoretical principles that are designed to structure the process of organizing and implementing quest excursions. In particular, it offers a definition of this concept, provides a comparative analysis of traditional excursions and quest excursions and outlines the basic principles of such tours. It is noted that the main functions of the quest excursions include not only educational and informational, but also entertainment and animation functions. A comparative analysis has shown that the organization of quest excursions requires much more preparation, in contrast to traditional excursions. At the same time, the main difference is that during the quest excursions tourists receive information about excursion objects, sights, objects of an excursion route by themselves, in other words they become active participants of educational and entertaining process where the special role is given not only to information, but also to physical activities of the quest excursion. This paper also describes the main features of quest excursions organization which include such aspects: the requirements for the location, the content of quests, variants of routes organizing, requirements for tasks and quests, accompanying materials, advising tour groups in the process of excursion and the importance of analysis and optimization of quest excursions. The results of this study may become the basis for further researches, in particular for the development of guidelines for the organization and implementation of quest excursions.
 Novelty. The author of this paper offers generalized principles of organization and implementation of quest excursions at the Ukrainian market, which can be the basis for further researches.
 The practical significance. The proposed results of the study are important for ensuring a systematic approach to the development of quest excursions in Ukraine. In particular, the theoretical principles suggested in this paper can serve as a basis for further development of guidelines for the organization of quest excursions.