Markus Stebich. Tourism & the Urban environment: elements of a mature city hospitality sector

Tourism & the Urban Environment:Elements of a Mature City Hospitality Sector

Tourism: tʊr'ĭz'əәm n.

1: the practice of traveling for leisure, business and other purposes2: the guidance or management of tourists3: a: the promotion or encouragement of touring b: the accommodation of tourists

Sources: Merriam-Webster Dictionary and World Tourism Organization

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

Character & Personality: Understanding the Experiences

Perception

How do most non-Russians percieve Russian cities?

Red Square and Kremlin

Perception

How do most non-Russians percieve Russian cities?

Perception

How do most Russians percieve Russian cities?

Samara

Perception

How do most Russians percieve Russian cities?

Moscow

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Armory Chamber, Kremlin, Moscow

Soho Rooms, Ritz-Carlton, Moscow

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Cosmonautics Memorial Museum

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Volkonsky Bakery, Moscow

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Attractors

Identify, Create, Promote

Marketing:

Creating Expectations, Meeting Expectations

Aim Directly at People’s Awareness Level:Awareness Happens via Experiences

Build It and They Will Come?

Serve & Develop All Segments:

Reducing Risk with Variety & Diversityor“Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket”

Major Segments:

a. Internationalb. Nationalc. Regionald. Locale. Businessf. City Resortg. Destinationh. Cultural

Scale:

a. Large: International

b. Mid-sized: International / Regional

c. Small: Boutique, Specialist, B&B, Informal, Local

d. Long Stay & Apartments

Providers:

OperatorsDevelopersFinanceDesign

Develop National and Regional Providers to Reduce Reliance on Foreign Providers and to Enhance Autehnticity

Sheremetevo Airport

Infrastructure:

a. Physicalb. Economicc. Labor Marketd. Political: Legal / Regulatory / Standards / Securitye. Facilitators: Agents, Tour Operators etc.f. Local Activities

Source: CIA World Factbook

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.”

Barvikha Hotel & Spa

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

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.

Moscva Hotel

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.