Tourism Specialists Research Articles

Structural model of formation of geoecological competence of tourism students

ABSTRACT Problems of resource support, rational use of the geosystem and optimization of relations between natural complexes create a need for future tourism specialists to acquire geoecological competence. A structural model of the formation of geoecological competence for students in tourism programs in higher educational institutions is presented. The need for geoecological competence was recognised from interviews with employers and the geoecological knowledge of students determined through surveys. The methodology and pedagogical technology of the academic discipline “Geoecology and tourism” have been developed. The effectiveness of the structural and functional model for the formation of geoecological competencies is presented. The professional competencies of the academic discipline “Geoecology and tourism” are gradually formed in three stages. Geoecological competence gradually improves knowledge and skills, thereby increasing the level of quality of training. The model of geoecological competence of tourism students makes it possible to see, feel and understand, as well as orient the sphere of values and worldview associated with geoecology.

Development of Social Competence of Future Tourism Specialists by Conducting Excursions within the Framework of English Language Classes

Development of Social Competence of Future Tourism Specialists by Conducting Excursions within the Framework of English Language Classes

Барьеры и факторы развития туристического бизнеса в России и Арктике (по результатам экспертного опроса)

The tourism sector is the most important for the socio-economic development of countries and regions, contributing to the preservation of historical and cultural values, the formation of humanism and tolerance in the world. However, there are many difficulties in the tourism business that have become seriously exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and contribute to a rethinking of the problems and factors of tourism development. In Russia, since 2020, the focus has been on the development of domestic tourism, and this further contributed to the restoration and maintenance of a certain stability in this area, which is especially important during the period of aggravation of the geopolitical situation in Russia and the world, from 2022 to the present. Nevertheless, the issues of barriers to the development of tourism in our country remain relevant, taking into account the ideas, orientations and practices of both tour operators and consumers of tourism services, which actualizes sociological research in this aspect. In order to identify the existing barriers and factors for the successful development of tourism in Russia, the authors conducted a sociological study in 2021 among tourism specialists who acted as experts and represent authorities, tourism business and science in Russian and foreign regions. The study was conducted in a qualitative strategy using the in-depth interview method, during which 31 experts were interviewed. The results of the expert survey may be useful in the further development of the tourism industry in the Russian regions.

Career Attitudes of Potential Tourism Specialists

Career Attitudes of Potential Tourism Specialists

Analysis of the structure and content of professional training future tourism specialists in the field of sports and health tourism in higher education institutions of Ukraine

The study is devoted to the state of training specialists in active tourism in the context of tourism specialists’ training. The goals of the article are to analyse the structure of educational programs in the specialty «242 Tourism» regarding the availability of sports and health (active) tourism disciplines; to provide quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the educational components of the studied direction. Methods. The study was carried out at the expense of quantitative and qualitative analysis of educational programs and components; comparison, systematization and generalization of the researched material in the specialty 242 Tourism (in the direction of sports and recreation and active tourism). Results. The author analysed forty-one educational programs in the specialty «242 Tourism (Bachelor)», studied educational programs, curricula, work programs of disciplines and educational and production practices in the direction of active tourism. Moreover, the analysis criteria were presented: the presence in the educational program of the profession of active tourism guide; the presence of specialized educational components that form the necessary competencies. As for the educational components of active tourism offered by the institutions, the results of the analysis can be summarized as follows: sixteen institutions offer mandatory educational components; in the context of subjects of free choice ‒ thirteen higher educational institutions; specialized practice (tourist trip) ‒ only five out of forty-one institutions offer on-site training in the form of a trip. Consequently, twenty-four institutions from the general list offer employment as sports and health tourism instructors. Eighteen of them ensure the acquisition of relevant knowledge, skills and abilities. Conclusions. The number of educational programs where sports and health tourism disciplines are mandatory is gradually decreasing. Such a picture indicates a contradiction between the requirements of the state to support and popularize a healthy lifestyle of the nation and the training of specialists in the tourism industry in this direction. As a result, we see the presence (absence) of practitioners in sports and health tourism at specialized departments; the available (absent) material and technical support of specialized departments regarding the organization of theoretical and practical training of sports and health specialists.

Formation of the Future Tourism Specialists’ Cultural Experience in the Conditions of the Digital Society

Abstract. The integration of Ukraine into the international tourism space requires the training of future specialists in the field of tourism who are ready to work in the conditions of a digital society on the basis of intercultural dialogue. In this context, the problem of forming their cultural experience on the ground of intercultural communicative interaction with observance of network principles is actualized. The purpose of the article is to study new forms of culture of the electronic type, to analyse the possibilities of introducing digital technologies in the process of forming the cultural experience of future specialists in the sphere of tourism. Research methods were used to achieve the defined goal: system-structural method; abstract-logical; statistical methods; modelling method. Results. Deep structural transformations in the tourism industry are accelerating the pace of transformations of individual and collective cultural practices in which computer visualization is used. It is about the introduction of innovative forms of digital transformation, new Internet technologies, and the construction of cultural practices of spatial mobility into the process of forming the future tourism specialists` cultural experience. Cultural experience involves the creation of effective ways of interacting with the audience using digital means and the implementation of them in the process of professional training. As a result, the hierarchy of values of modern travel in virtual space is changing; new configurations of tourism with elements of digital culture are being formed. The personalization of tourist behaviour models for future specialists in the field of tourism is realized thanks to electronic resources, elements of remote technologies, multimedia equipment that function in the educational environment (MOODLE). Conclusions. The formation of the future tourism specialists` cultural experience in the conditions of the digital society takes place under the conditions of virtual reality of the 21st century, which changes the models of tourist behaviour, makes corrections in individual and collective cultural tourism practices.

The impact of the mobile applications usage on the quality of tourism specialists training

Problem statement . The modernization of the educational system involves the adoption of technologies based on artificial intelligence, AR, VR, and mobile platforms. The use of mobile tools in the training of workers in the tourism industry meets the requirements for training programs for highly qualified professionals in this area and the challenges of economic integration. The study aimed at substantiating the efficacy of the use of mobile applications in the training of tourism industry specialists for the quality improvement. Methodology . Theoretical and methodological analysis and generalization were applied in determining the content and problems of mobile learning in the area of tourism and identifying the prospects for the development of travel applications. For designing mobile applications, the iBuildApp tool was chosen. A testing was developed, including the blocks “Fundamentals of tourism activities” (20 points), and “Mobile applications in the field of tourism” (20 points). The study involved 49 students of the Orel State Institute of Culture (the direction of training “Tourism”, profile “Technology and organization of excursion services”). Pearson's chi-squared test was used as a statistical processing method. Results . The ideas of a methodological approach are formulated, reflecting the necessary changes in the system of training specialists in the tourism sector, taking into account the challenges of economic integration, the requirements of a professional standard, and the strategy for the development of tourism in Russia. The difficulties that affect the effectiveness of the inclusion of mobile applications in the training of industry workers are highlighted: dependence on foreign software solutions, the high expense of creating own mobile application and its post-maintenance, and technical failures in the network. Statistically significant differences in the qualitative changes that occurred in the training system were determined. Conclusion . The incorporation of mobile applications in the training of tourism industry specialists advances the quality of their training due to new opportunities for collaboration and project activities, cost optimization, innovative work experience, etc. There are also negative aspects, such as a decrease in the overall level of oral communication, the risks of losing the phone, distraction, and addiction.

CULINARY ETHNOLOGY OF PODILLIA: FEATURES AND RECIPE INGREDIENTS

The article considers the actual and unique issue of studying the traditional recipes of Podillia to identify their uniqueness and regional features. We determined that this issue’s regional and local lore aspect opens vast opportunities for its use as a historical source. Patterns of the presence or absence of particular themes and motives often find their reasons in historical factors. To some extent, this also applies to such an area as the country’s cuisine and culinary traditions. The study revealed that the functioning of folk customs is subordinated to more practical than aesthetic requests. Where the question of folk traditions, beliefs, customs and rites, life and lifestyle of the population arises, only there is a prerequisite for the appearance of authentic cuisine and original recipes. Thus, the etiology of such folk recipes lags far behind the customs etiology in time. The previous research has proven that the identified features of the development of Ukrainian cuisine relate specifically to the national culinary traditions and customs of the population of Podillia. This layer of folk culture needs urgent exploration. A detailed study of the peculiarities of cuisine and culinary traditions can give ethnographers and culturologists valuable information about our people’s history, ancient traditions, beliefs, and culture. The specificity of the researched object and the degree of study of the chosen topic determined the purpose of the article, which is studying and organising the characteristic features of the culinary heritage of Podillia, as well as collecting and registering authentic recipes and methods of cooking dishes that reflect the cultural heritage of this region of Ukraine. The practical significance of the obtained results is that its main provisions can be used by specialists in various fields: ethnographers, folklorists, culturologists, historians, geographers, and tourism specialists. The personal contribution of the authors consists of the systematisation of folk culinary traditions and folk recipes of Podillia and a comprehensive study of the genealogy of ethnic cuisine. Keywords: Podillia, Ukrainian cuisine, culinary ethnology, culinary heritage, folk recipes, cooking technology.

Staged Professional Training of Tourism Specialists in the Higher Education System in the Context of Social and Economic Crises

In the context of social and economic crises, the tourism industry represents the economic branch that is affected in various aspects, which implies the search for new solutions for development. Thus, the professional training of staff in the higher education system, including those in the field of tourism, in recent years was influenced by a series of factors that required rapid adaptation, the identification of the methods and means necessary to train the skills of future specialists. In this sense, the ever-changing requirements for employees in the tourism field, especially the trends of recent years, should focus on the content of the staged training of future employees in the tourism field, with an emphasis on the training of flexible, innovative and with deep digital skills to be able to deal with unpredictable situations that can affect the tourism sector. This fact implies that future graduates who will work in the tourism sector will need to possess skills that will allow them to quickly adapt to multiple tasks, in a redesigned industry that has been attempted by the pandemic. All this determines the need to make changes in the professional training of staff at each training stage, which will aim to ensure the sustainability of the sector, with an emphasis on strengthening the relations between academia and the industry itself in order to find viable solutions for development.

Conceptual approaches concerning wine tourism

The topic of scientific interest of the authors is the research of conceptual approaches regarding wine tourism. The purpose of this research is to elucidate the concepts and generalities regarding wine tourism. The concepts of wine tourism have been formed along with its evolution, and the defining aspects have varied according to the professional opinions of tourism specialists. Understanding the concept of wine tourism cannot be separated from the general concepts of tourism, tour, tourist, visitor, traveler, excursionist. At the same time, special attention is paid to revealing the features of wine tourism and its classification according to different aspects. The presented study is based on the official positions of International and National Tourism Organizations, legislative and normative acts, as well as views of foreign and domestic researchers. The present study was carried out based on the following scientific research methods: analysis, synthesis, comparison, grouping, systematization, etc. The authors' conclusions relate to the presentation of their own definitions of the examined concepts, as well as the scientific novelty regarding the elucidation of the features of wine tourism.

КОМПЕТЕНТНІСНИЙ ПІДХІД У ПІДГОТОВЦІ ФАХІВЦІВ ТУРИСТИЧНОЇ СФЕРИ ДО РОБОТИ В УМОВАХ КРИЗОВИХ СТАНІВ

Tourism as one of the promising branches of economy demands competent, active and highly qualified specialists who are capable of professional self-determination generating and implementing their own plans in the relevant market conditions as well as in the state of crisis. The training of future tourism specialists is associated with the need to form professional and personal competence, which involves the development of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, a vision of their professional behaviour in various situations of interpersonal interaction. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the essence of a competent approach in preparing tourism specialists to work in crisis conditions. The tasks of this work were to study scientific views on the issue of training tourism specialists to work in crisis conditions, to determine the main requirements for specialists in the tourism sector. To solve the problems of research, a set of methods was used: theoretical analysis and synthesis of ideas, results, theoretical statements disclosed in the scientific and pedagogical literature; summarizing and systematizing the results of existing studies on this issue. At the stage of development of the socio-cultural sphere, the tourism business needs personnel who are ready to organize activities in the conditions of crisis camps. Stakeholders and applicants seeking to expand the range of competitive opportunities in acquiring knowledge and skills are interested in implementing an educational program for training tourism specialists who are able to work in new socio-cultural conditions. The article generalizes views of scientists with respect to the interpretation of “competence approach” notion. Basic information on future tourism specialists training (taking into consideration all the directions of strategic development and global changes in the tourism market) is presented. The training issues are connected with the key problems of improving the tourism development management system, ensuring the competitiveness of tourism products and service in the implementation of national projects. It is determined that the main methodological requirement to future tourism specialists’ professional training is the updating of forms and content of practical components. Some of the methods of the educational process intensification that guarantee the effectiveness of theoretical and practical training are disclosed. Based on a thorough analysis of researches on this problem, a comprehensive definition of future tourism specialists’ professional training was defined, taking into account their readiness to operate in crisis situations. Professional competence in the context of the study is defined as an integrative quality, property, or dynamic state of a future specialist that ensures physical, psychological, professional, and personal compliance with needs, qualification standards, and requirements for work in the state of crisis. The set of competences such as general scientific, professionally qualified, social, individual and instrumental competence are relevant components of the professional competence of a tourism specialist, who is ready to operate in state of crisis. The introduction of academic discipline “Principles of anti-crisis management in tourism industry” that is aimed at the development and improvement of professional and personal tourism specialists’ qualities that are necessary to be effective in crisis situations was proposed.

Development of Main Directions for Achieving Sustainability in Tourism

It is challenging to identify key conditions for the integration of sustainable tourism in public or environmental policy, both in a national and international context. Therefore, this article aims to contribute insight into how sustainability can be integrated into environmental policy by studying a number of recent planning processes related to tourism. Sustainable tourism concept has been assuming a lot of importance especially since late 1980s. Tourism specialists are also doing ample researches on this topic. However, sustainability issues have not found its exact solutions so far. Especially, environmental impact of tourism is an alarming issue in some parts of the world. That’s why, this study has been carried out being motivated by both existing issues and relevant environmental policies which are being instituted by nationally and globally. Findings indicate that main clogs for reaching sustainability in tourism are: lack of responsibility by humans towards their surrounding world, ecology, nature; less promotion of sustainable travel in tourism industry; lack of political or governmental participation in reaching sustainability in tourism sector. The study targets analyzing the main issues and offering some relevant solution.

Formation of foreign language competences of future tourism industry specialists by means of mobile technologies

The problem and the aim of the study. Foreign language proficiency is an integral part of the professional competence of an employee of the tourism industry. Various innovative means are used to improve the quality of foreign language training of a future tourism specialist in higher education institutions. However, their use in practice requires taking into account the specifics of tourism activities and directions of development tourism in the world. The purpose of the study is to study the features of formation of foreign language competences of future specialists in the tourism industry based on mobile technologies. Research methods. The analysis of the potential of mobile technologies, the problems of their implementation in the foreign language training of specialists who specialize in organization of tourist services is applied. When developing a system of tasks, the provisions of the professional standard of a specialist in the tourism industry, the strategy for the development of tourism in Russia are taken into account. Mobile applications are developed on the iBuildApp platform. Empirical methods (testing, analysis of the results of working with mobile applications) are used. The study involved 60 students of the Vyatka State University (Russian Federation). Training program specialization: Technology and organization of tour operator and travel agency services (level – bachelor's degree). Φ-Fisher's criterion is used to process the results of the experiment. Results. The students of the experimental group are involved in the design of multilingual mobile applications as part of the systematic work when studying the disciplines "Modern information technologies", "Digital technologies in tourism", "Foreign language". Students plan a route for a tour, work in groups on a project, use mobile solutions in educational, industrial, design-technological practice. Statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of the level of foreign language competence were revealed (φcrit=1.64<φemp=2.912). In conclusion findings about the positive (opportunities for collaboration and project activities, cost optimization, innovative experience) and negative (dependence on foreign software solutions, high cost, technical failures of equipment and the Internet in remote areas, etc.) aspects of the impact of m-learning on the quality of foreign language training of tourism specialists are described

Scientific approaches to defining the concept of «destination branding»

Today, the concept of brand is widely used not only for goods and services, but alsofor the territory and is among the best practices in the development of tourism. According tothe scientific analysis of specialists in economics, geography, marketing and tourism, brandingof the destination are assigned different characteristics. Research is required on what directionin the formation of a destination brand gives the most effective results. As a result of the studyof approaches to the formation of the concept of destination branding in foreign and domesticscientific literature «evolutionary and geographical views», «managerial views directed to theeconomy», «marketing views aimed at the offer», «views focused on the demand of tourists» wereidentified and analyzed. In addition, the key players in the market promotion of the destinationin accordance with the branding strategy were identified, as well as the step-by-step managementmodels were reflected in the article.

한국관광공사 1330 관광안내 문자채팅 서비스에 대한 연구

The 1330 Korea Travel Helpline is a public service that provides tourists with customized travel information in order to promote tourism. 1330 Travel Helpline differs from other online tourism information platforms in that users can interact with certified tourism specialists throughout their journey. Furthermore, the service is run by the Korea Tourism Organization. Taking these distinguishing characteristics into account, the purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the service user's information processing process and the tourist's destination visit intention. This study specifically employs the Elaboration Likelihood Model to examine the impact of information quality and source credibility on destination visit intention. Furthermore, using data collected from tourists who have used this service, this paper investigates whether the interaction quality with service representatives acts as a predictor of visit intention. The PLS-SEM approach reveals that interaction with service representatives gives users a social presence, which influences their information processing path positively. Information usefulness and visit intent are significantly influenced by information quality and source credibility. In addition, the research demonstrates that the interaction quality has a mediating effect on both of the central and the peripheral paths. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the live chat service in the context of the hospitality and tourism industries, as well as suggestions for future research.

System and parameters of transport and management of an educational organization providing training for specialists in tourism

The article presents the management system of a higher educational institution, which provides training for specialists in tourism. The system reflects the processes of functioning, creation and development of an educational organization as an object of management. The stages of planning the parameters of managed processes and their constituent management phases, including planning, accounting, control and regulation are given. The objective tree based on the management period is also presented. It has been proved that it is the tasks of planning and the quality of their solution that most affect the efficiency of the entire management system.

ԷԹՆՈԲՈՒՍԱԲԱՆԱԿԱՆ ՏՈՒՐԵՐԻ ԿԱԶՄԱԿԵՐՊՄԱՆ ԱՌԱՆՁՆԱՀԱՏԿՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐԸ ԶԲՈՍԱՇՐՋՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՈԼՈՐՏԻ ՄԱՍՆԱԳԵՏՆԵՐԻ ԿՈՄՊԵՏԵՆՑԻԱՅԻ ԲԱՐՁՐԱՑՄԱՆ ՆՊԱՏԱԿՈՎ / PECULIARITIES OF ORGANIZING ETHNOBOTANICAL TOURS TO INCREASE THE COMPETENCE OF TOURISM SPECIALISTS

The article discusses the content and the essence of ethnobotanical tours, the resources and objects as the basis of these tours, the stages of organizing, events and the importance for tourism specialists. The material basis for organizing ethnobotanical tours is briefly presented: landscapes, specially protected natural and cultural territories, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, enterprises picking and processing plant-based raw materials, organizations studying and exhibiting plant heritage - botanical gardens, museums, etc. The role of ethnobotanical tours in expanding the knowledge of future tourism specialists in patriotism, developing communication skills, gaining experience, receiving heritage from the older generation, etc. is highlighted. The stages of organizing educational ethnobotanical tours intended for future tourism specialists are presented and considered: trail preparation, research of the characteristics of the studied plants in nature or in museum funds, harvesting, processing of plant materials. In order to increase the frequency and variety of organizing tours, the following activities are proposed: the organization of new or the restoration of previously organized festivals representing the traditional cuisine and dishes of the region, communities, residences, the implementation of joint ethnobotanical research of lecturers and students, etc.

The role of educational tourism in the training of tourism specialists

The role of educational tourism in the training of tourism specialists

OPTIMIZATION OF THE PRACTICAL TRAINING OF TOURISM SPECIALISTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF EXTERNAL CHALLENGES

The modern requirements of employers for university graduates in tourism are constantly changing, but the requirements for the practical orientation of their education remain unchanged. That is why the purpose of the article was to substantiate the ways of optimizing the practical training of tourism specialists in the conditions of external challenges. In the process of the research, the authors used such scientific methods as the analysis of the theoretical foundations and the current state of practical training of students of higher education, the generalization and systematization of the authors' practical experience in the organization of educational and industrial practices in the online format, substantiating the optimal ways of practical training of students in conditions of external threats, as well as the method of pedagogical observation. The study identified and analyzed the problems of practical training of future tourism specialists in Ukraine at the current stage. Ways to optimize practical training in modern conditions of external threats are proposed and substantiated. A system of online events for various types of practices is proposed, examples are given. The conditions for the successful completion of practical training in the process of external threats are identified and argued.

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES INFLUENCE ON THE TOURISM SPECIALIST’S PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE FORMATION

Objective. The article is devoted to the study of the influence of information and communication technologies on the formation of professional competence of specialists in the field of tourism. The author studies the conditions under which the tourism market’s need for specialists who possess a high level of professional competence, professional mobility, and the ability to adapt to the conditions of professional activity through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) will be solved. The need for a systematic approach to the problem is substantiated through the development of a structural-functional model of the process of formation of professional competence of specialists in the field of tourism by means of information and communication technologies. Methods. The main research methods of the process of formation of professional competence by means of information and communication technologies are: the abstract-logical method for determining the main problematic issues of the formation of professional competence; modeling method for developing a structural-functional model of the process of formation of professional competence of tourism specialists by means of information and communication technologies. Results. In the context of the research, the essense of the process of formation of the professional competence of the individual is defined and clarified. The concept of “professional competence of tourism specialists” is clarified as an integrative quality, which comprises the level of masterying professional knowledge, abilities, skills and is considered as a process of the subject’s conscious management of his activities and behaviour in accordance with universal value orientations. It is emphasized that the development of information and communication technologies contributes to the modernization of the modern system of tourism education. It goes about distance education as a system of knowledge transfer with the help of various means and technologies and the formation of the students’ skills to use the necessary information in practical professional activities. The author’s definition of the concept of “professional competence of tourism specialists” is presented, which consists in that in the conditions of a computer-oriented information and communication environment. Structural components of the process of formation of professional competence, its content, components are defined. The author has developed a structural and functional model of the process of formation of professional competence of tourism specialists. The structural components of the model and their content are defined.