Markus Stebich. Tourism & the Urban environment: elements of a mature city hospitality sector
1. Tourism & the Urban
Environment:
Elements of a Mature
City Hospitality Sector
2. Tourism: tʊr'ĭz'əәm n.
1: the practice of traveling for leisure, business and other purposes
2: the guidance or management of tourists
3: a: the promotion or encouragement of touring
b: the accommodation of tourists
Sources: Merriam-Webster Dictionary and World Tourism Organization
3. Tourism redefined:
The EXPERIENCE of travel and everything involved in creating the experience.
Tourism developed with the EXPERIENCE as the focal point resonates wih people’s emotions and
desires which are the prime factors in a person’s decision making process. When viewed from the stand
point of the experience, tourism and its development take on a much higher quality and meaning,
leading to a greater chance of success.
Rocco Fortes Hotel Astoria St. Petersberg
19. Scale:
a. Large: International
b. Mid-sized: International /
Regional
c. Small: Boutique, Specialist,
B&B, Informal, Local
d. Long Stay & Apartments
21. Infrastructure:
a. Physical
b. Economic
c. Labor Market
d. Political: Legal / Regulatory / Standards / Security
e. Facilitators: Agents, Tour Operators etc.
f. Local Activities
Sheremetevo Airport
22. Challenges:
“Russia's long-term challenges include a shrinking workforce, a high level of corruption, difficulty in
accessing capital for smaller, non-energy companies, and poor infrastructure in need of large
investments.”
Source: CIA World Factbook
23. Challenges:
“A legacy of Soviet-era infrastructure neglect, oppressive paperwork, high costs, and lack of local
marketing know-how have limited attractiveness of travel to Russia for many foreigners. Despite
improvements in the first decade since the Soviet breakup, the Russian travel industry continues to be
hindered by the lack of accommodations and travel-related services that are in accordance with
international standards. Recent years have witnessed improvements in the quality of services. In
addition, new programs have been instituted that provide training in hotel and restaurant management
services. At the same time, new hotel, restaurant, and recreational equipment and expertise have
become more widely available.”
Source: Encyclopedia of the Nations
Barvikha Hotel & Spa
24. Summary:
Infrastructure, providers, attractors, marketing and diverse sectors are all key to developing a mature
urban tourism sector but focusing on the Experience, on Authenticity and on more National Brands of an
International Level are needed to make it successful.
All segments already exist to a degree. Many are still under-represented and need development.
Moscow & St. Petersburg are the furthest developed. Other cities are still lagging behind considerably.
More coordination between investors, operators, government and all other facilitators is needed.
25. Summary:
Tourism is first and foremost about people and their experiences while traveling. Tourism, especially to
urban centers, is probably the most effective and important activity for connecting cultures and
individuals throughout the world when allowed to develop all its varied facets. It is a force for growth, for
understanding, for culture and for peace. Fortunately, today's tourism is much more focused on creating
real and locally connected experiences rather than cookie cutter experiences that have little to do with
the essence or culture of a location, as was too often the case until fairly recently. Because tourism is
also hospitality, which is deeply rooted in many forms in every culture around the world, it can showcase
the best aspects of any culture.
Moscva Hotel
