People began to intentionally make travels for the purpose of relaxation only in 1841, in fact, from this time we can talk about the emergence of a new form of leisure - tourist-recreational. Tourism satisfies the need of people to relax through a change of scenery. People began to specially go and ride to places where they can relax, rest, break out of the usual bustle. So there was a recreational tourism. This is a special form of activity during which a person restores his resources. About it and will be discussed in the review. We will tell you what are the features of this phenomenon, what are its types and how is the organization of recreational tourism.
Recreation and tourism
The tourism sector is becoming an increasingly important sector of the economy of modern states. In this regard, there is a complication of this area of activity. Systems of types and subspecies of tourism are being built, new modifications appear. And all this theorists are trying to comprehend. Today, researchers often talk about the recreational foundations of tourism, and this raises the question of the relationship between the concepts of "tourism" and "recreation".
The first term refers to the temporary movement of people to other places in order to meet the needs for relaxation, pleasure, cognition, healing, etc. The second term usually refers to the restoration of human resources spent during work. Also, by recreation they suggest to understand the activities of people to use their free time. Thus, the concept of recreation is broader, since tourism is only one of the ways to relax and restore human strength. There is something in common between recreation and tourism: both of these activities are related to rest, relaxation, restoration of strength and resources. But there are differences. Recreation can occur without moving to some other place, for example, lying on the couch after a working day is also a way to restore strength. And tourism can occur not only for recreational purposes, although it is fair to say that most of the goals of tourism are recreational.
The concept of recreational tourism
In its most general form, recreational tourism can be described as follows: this is the movement of people in their free time to other territories in order to restore physical and mental resources. Almost all types of tourism fall under such a broad definition. But the main antipode of recreational tourism is business tourism. In general, all movements in space with the goals of earning, fulfilling any duties and work are not related to recreation. And all other trips in order to enjoy and thereby restore their resources are recreational. Thus, the essence of tourism in the long run boils down to performing a recreational function in human life. Traveling is needed in order to replenish the reserves of mental and physical strength. But not every trip fully contributes to productive relaxation. Here there is such a feature of the place where the traveler goes, as potential opportunities to meet the needs of the tourist. In this case, it is worth talking about tourism not only from the consumer of tourist services, but also from the side of their organizer. After all, tourism is also a business area. And here it is necessary to talk about the recreational resources of tourism, which include not only the natural characteristics of the place, but also artificially created by people designing a tourist product.
Recreational resources
This term refers to a system of natural and man-made objects that can satisfy the needs of tourists in recreation. As well as a set of objects on the basis of which you can create a tourist product, that is, a tour for sale to a tourist. Obviously, recreational resources are the basis of recreation and tourism. If the place has nothing that would help a person recover at least some strength after work, then no one will come here. There is a branched classification of recreational resources, these include:
- natural objects (forest, marine, mountain, water, meadow);
- artificial objects (architectural monuments and complexes, cultural and historical complexes, cities and settlements with a complex of attractions, resorts, religious and religious objects, objects of antiquity, as well as various events, including sports).
Thus, recreational resources include many different objects with different potentials. There is also the practice of dividing resources by mobility / real estate, renewability / non-renewability.
Recreational resources are characterized by such features as heterogeneity of quality, exhaustibility and renewability, limited use at the same time.
Natural and recreational resources
To natural objects that can satisfy the need of people for recreation include:
- shores of seas, rivers, various bodies of water;
- forest and meadow areas;
- mountains and foothills;
- jungle and desert.
On their basis, national parks, reserves, resort areas are created, the necessary infrastructure is formed.
Cultural and historical recreational resources
Artificially created objects include:
- Museums
- architectural complexes;
- capitals of the world;
- religious complexes and constructions;
- sport events;
- festivals, holidays, contests, ceremonies.
To deliver people to these objects, tours are also being developed, the necessary infrastructure is being created.
Classification of Recreational Tourism
There are several approaches to the identification of types of recreational tourism. In the most conservative approach, there are only two types: health and cognitive. However, the ever-complicated tourism system required a more thorough approach to the identification of types of recreational tourism. These include:
- Wellness
- informative;
- ethnographic;
- sports;
- religious;
- rural;
- ecological;
- gastronomic;
- cultural types of tourism.
There is even an attempt to justify the development of tourist and recreational tourism, which is aimed at achieving several goals at the same time: rest, cognition, recovery. As an example, in this case, vacationers who come to the resort with the main goal are to undergo medical procedures. But at the same time, tourists also make excursions around the resort, go in for sports: trekking, swimming, fitness, and also visit entertainment venues: casinos, bowling alleys, discos. It is more appropriate to call this species mixed or recreational itself.
Another classification is related to the area in which it is carried out, in this case there are:
- mountain;
- nautical;
- forest,
- rural,
- industrial,
- jailoo
- speleotourism.
According to the method of transportation, pedestrian, automobile, air tourism, rail, bicycle, water, mountain, skiing and other types of recreational tourism are distinguished. There are other classifications, but those listed fully characterize the concept of recreational tourism.
Wellness tourism
One of the most common in the world is recreational tourism. In order to improve their health, people go to resorts where they receive special treatment, as well as get better due to the peculiarities of the area: air, water, mud, etc. The peculiarities of this type of tourism are that the duration of the tour cannot be less than 3 weeks. Staying at the resort is always an impressive financial cost, as the tour includes not only treatment, but also accommodation and transportation costs. Spa treatment is mainly consumed by tourists of the older age group, when health begins to suffer greatly.
Today a new type of recreational health tourism is appearing - these are preventive and sanatorium tours. Their goal may be the prevention of any disease, as well as obtaining a course of procedures aimed at rejuvenating the body, relieving stress, and relaxation. There is also such a variety of this type of tourism as cosmetology tourism. As part of the tour, people receive a set of procedures aimed at improving the condition of the skin and body.
Cultural tourism
Cognitive recreational tourism is a huge variety of very different subspecies. The fact is that cultural needs can be met with the help of a variety of objects: museums, attractions, events. Cognitive tourism is also divided into many varieties on the subject: artistic, historical, literary, ethnographic, natural history and others. The development of a tourism product that meets the traveler’s needs should inspire his curiosity. Satisfying him, a person experiences pleasure, in addition, a person replenishes his spiritual strength.
Sports tourism
This type of travel is also called active tourism. As part of such tours, people overcome long distances on foot, skiing, horseback riding, kayaking or catamarans. The purpose of such tourism is to enjoy physical activity, as well as the fight against stress, replenishment of mental strength. Sports tourism is associated with overcoming various obstacles, including overcoming yourself, your fears. Recreational sports tourism should not be confused with sports tourism, in which people compete in overcoming various obstacles. In this perspective, tourism is no longer a means of replenishing resources, it is becoming close to professional tourism.
Recreational Tourism System
Since recreational tourism has many tasks, its organization is also associated with a whole range of different activities. The organization of recreational tourism includes the following steps:
- selection of recreational areas and assessment of its potential and resources;
- route development;
- compiling a list of necessary tourism products and their suppliers;
- compiling a list of possible additional products and services on the tour.
All of these steps should find expression in a tourist service program. In addition, the organization of tourism includes providing the tourist with the necessary infrastructure: transport, accommodation and meals. Staffing is also required. Recreational tourism is a specific area of human activity. To meet the needs of tourists, qualified personnel are needed: doctors and other medical competent staff for health tourism, trained guides in educational tourism, instructors and trainers in sports.
The concept of recreational activities
This concept was formed in psychology, where it is understood as a person’s activity in his free time, accompanied by positive emotions and having socially approved characteristics. Like any activity, it should have a goal, structure, duration, tools. The main types of recreational activities are health and educational tourism and recreation. Mass recreation means a variety of activities, for example, fishing, hunting, walking in the park, etc. A recreational activity in tourism involves the organization of spa treatment and cultural tourism, development of tours, routes, creation of transport infrastructure, formation networks of placements and food.
World experience
Tourism as a form of recreational activity appears in Europe in the middle of the 19th century. But it acquires mass distribution in the second half of the 20th century. At this time, the development of recreational tourism is gaining rapid momentum: many places of accommodation at various levels are being created, the catering network is expanding, and transport infrastructure is improving. And tourism in one form or another is becoming available to most of the population. All developed countries begin the struggle for tourist flows. The capitals of the states become real tourist Mecca, with many attractions, museums, entertainment enterprises. At the end of the 20th century, many states of the developing world are included in this struggle. There are opportunities to travel in Africa, Asia, South America. Today you can see how countries of Eastern Europe - Romania, Croatia, Montenegro - are trying to conquer their part of the recreational tourism market. They begin to develop infrastructure, study the recreational potential of their countries.
Russian practice of recreational tourism
Tourism in Russia has been developing with varying intensity since the beginning of the 20th century. Today it is recognized as one of the most promising sectors of the economy, almost all regions of the country began to engage in the formation of tourist attractiveness. Assessing the recreational resources of tourism in Russia, experts note the huge potential of the country. and it’s not just that. The rich cultural and historical heritage and wide geography make it possible to develop all types of recreational tourism. Not only large cities, in which there are many attractions, but also small settlements are suitable for educational tourism. What is successfully proved, for example, by Myshkin, Ples, Suzdal and other small Russian cities. For the development of recreational tourism, the territories of the Black Sea coast, the Caucasus, and Altai Mountains are ideally suited. In Russia, there are many conditions for the functioning of balneological resorts, resorts and dispensaries.