The tourism industry today brings considerable income to those states that actively develop it. Today, about 8% of the entire working-age population of the planet is involved in it. Tourism resources are everything that helps in its development: mountains and seas, forests and lakes, historical monuments and cultural sites. In this article, we will tell you in detail about the classifications and main types of recreational and tourist resources.
Tourism resources are…
What is meant by the concept of "tourist" or "recreational-tourist" (from the Latin word recreatio - rest) resources? What is the essence of this term? Let's try to understand these issues.
Tourist resources are objects and specific features of the environment (natural, climatic, historical, sociocultural, etc.) that are (or may be) the subject of interest of tourists and can encourage them totravel. These include not only beautiful landscapes and architectural monuments, but also clean air, the availability of entertainment, the hospitality of local residents, and more.
From the point of view of recreational geography (one of the young scientific disciplines), tourist resources are some artifacts of natural or anthropogenic origin that have a certain recreational and tourist value and can be used to organize recreation, he alth improvement or cultural enrichment of people. Where there are no tourism resources, tourism simply cannot develop. However, there are few such territories on our planet, although some experts say that they do not exist at all, because on any piece of the globe you can find something interesting and worthwhile for a tourist.
The degree of exploration and development of tourist resources in a given territory is largely determined by their characteristics. These primarily include the following properties:
- Attractiveness (attractiveness) of the resource.
- Accessibility (primarily transport).
- Scientific, cultural and excursion significance.
- Potential supply (capacity) of the resource.
- Landscape and environmental features.
- Methods and intensity of resource use.
Classification of tourism resources
In modern geography, the classification proposed by the Polish economist M. Truasa in 1963 is widely used. He identifies three categories of tourism resources:
- Natural tourism resources (climate, relief, landscapes, hydrological facilities, forests, parks, beach areas, protected areas, natural monuments, etc.).
- Historical and cultural resources (architectural buildings, palace ensembles, fortresses, museums, sculptural monuments, historical necropolises, works of art, etc.).
- Socio-economic or infrastructure resources (hotels, cafes and restaurants, tour agencies, campsites, sanatoriums, entertainment complexes, etc.).
In addition, the following types of tourism resources are distinguished:
- Direct (or immediate) are natural and historical and cultural objects directly used in the organization of tourism activities.
- Indirect (additional) - material, financial, labor and information resources that are involved in the development of direct tourism resources.
Next, we will take a closer look at the main and most popular groups of recreational and tourist resources, namely, balneological, climatic, landscape, beach, historical, cultural and event.
Balneological resources
Balneological resources include drinking mineral water, healing mud with natural healing substances, as well as ozocerite. They are used both for the purpose of treatment and for the general improvement of the body. Among the mineral waters, scientists distinguish several dozen balneological groups, including ferruginous, hydrogen sulfide, hydrocarbonate, radon and others.
Perhaps the most famous balneological resort on the planet is the famous Dead Sea. Here, three therapeutic factors affect the human body at once: the actual s alty sea water (the concentration of s alts and minerals reaches 33%), mineral mud, as well as clean and saturated air with many useful substances. The second most popular and intensively operated balneological center can be called the Széchenyi resort in Hungary. Here, in the vicinity of Budapest, more than 500 mineral springs make their way out of the ground.
Climate resources
Climate is an important aspect of the successful development of the recreational and resort economy. In some cases, the climatic conditions of the region directly affect its resort specialization. So, for example, the healing air of the southern coast of Crimea, infused with phytoncides of the local vegetation, is ideal for treating diseases of the human respiratory system. It is worth noting that the climatic resources of the same area may be contraindicated for some people, but at the same time ideal for others.
Landscape resources
Scientists have long proven that the surrounding landscape affects the mental and spiritual state of a person, and can also contribute to the recovery and recovery of the body after a long illness.
Mountain areas stand out among the landscape tourism resources. After all, they create conditions for the development of a wide variety of recreational andtourism activities - from extreme sports to sanatorium and medical. The absolute leader in this regard is the Alpine mountain region. At least 150 million tourists and vacationers visit it every year.
Beach resources
An important place in the list of recreational and tourist resources is occupied by beach resources. According to statistics, more than 50% of all tourists in the world in one way or another associate their vacation with being on the coast of the sea, ocean or other body of water. It's no secret that being on the beach is especially beneficial for the human body. Indeed, in this case, it is simultaneously affected by three natural factors at once: water, sun and air.
The Cote d'Azur is considered the most popular beach recreational area on the planet. It is located in France and stretches for 180 kilometers from Toulon to Monaco. Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, M alta, Cyprus, Tunisia, Turkey are also famous for their magnificent beach holidays.
Cultural and historical resources
All kinds of monuments of history, architecture and art are considered cultural and tourist resources. This includes palace and park ensembles, castles, citadels, ancient fortifications, archaeological sites, memorial complexes, religious buildings, monasteries, museums, art galleries, ancient necropolises, surviving fragments of historical buildings in cities, etc.
Which countries have the largest historical and cultural tourism resources? Lush loversarchitecture and museums should go to Italy, France or Austria, fans of medieval castles - to Germany or Great Britain, admirers of antiquity - to Egypt, Turkey, Greece. If exotic architecture attracts you, feel free to go to one of the countries of East Asia.
Event tourism resources
The so-called event tourism is gaining more and more popularity all over the world lately. The purpose of such a tourist trip is timed to coincide with some event - a festival or a national holiday. Many travel agencies offer their clients special tours that combine traditional holidays as well as visits to the most spectacular events.
Event resources can be divided into several thematic groups:
- National holidays and parades.
- Theatrical shows.
- Film festivals.
- Gastronomic festivals (including wine and beer).
- Music, literary and theater festivals.
- Fashion shows.
- Auctions.
- Sports events.
Tourism in the modern world
Tourism today is one of the most dynamic sectors of the world economy. In many countries, it is developing at an incredibly rapid pace. First of all, it is worth highlighting Italy, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates. These states are the leaders of the modern tourism industry. Annually, the total income of all countries of the world from tourism is about 800-900 billion US dollars.
The concept of "tourism industry" means a set of various subjects of tourism and he alth resort activities that provide accommodation and services for tourists and vacationers. These include the following businesses and institutions:
- hotels, hotels, campsites, boarding houses, tourist complexes;
- tourism organizers (travel companies, agencies, tour agencies);
- transport services and private carriers;
- sports and he alth facilities;
- catering establishments;
- entertainment centers and establishments;
- banking and insurance companies;
- information services.
A travel operator is an economic entity that performs intermediary functions between the producer and consumer of a tourist product. The range of tourist services usually includes:
- hotel and restaurant services;
- travel agency services;
- services of tour agencies and private guides;
- other services.
In conclusion
Tourism is a complex, multifaceted and incredibly profitable branch of the modern economy. It is most developed in the countries of Central and Western Europe, the USA, and Southeast Asia. Balneological, climatic, beach, as well as historical and cultural resources should be singled out among the key and most significant types of tourism resources.
