Examination of the prospects for formation and development of the Finno-Ugric tourist cluster in the Republic of Mordovia

Introduction. The article is of relevance due to the need to develop the tourism industry as one of the most attractive investment components of regional development from a strategic perspective. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the prospects for development of the Finno-Ugric tourist cluster in the territory of the Republic of Mordovia it being an integrating element of the comprehensive use of available resources involved in the process of providing tourist and recreational services and contributing to the competitiveness of the region. Materials and Methods. The study employed the factor analysis as well as the methods of SNW analysis and integral assessment of the degree of influence of the factors on the tourism industry. Using the methods of mapping, a map of the long-term development of tourist clusters of the Republic of Mordovia was constructed. Results. The influence of external and internal factors in the development of the tourism industry in the region was assessed on the basis of the analysis of the trends and dynamics of the development of the tourist services market in the Republic of Mordovia as well as of the degree and nature of the impact of external and internal factors on the formation of the tourism industry. The investment risk and potential of the tourism industry were ranked and a map of the long-term development of tourist clusters of the region was drawn conditioned by available natural resources, geographical location, cultural potential and traditions of the local population. It was proved that the ethno-cultural component was the key element of development of the tourism industry in the region. Discussion and Conclusions. The cluster approach in the development of the tourism industry is the most promising one as it promotes the effective integration of all elements of the tourist services sector as well as the functioning of the tourist infrastructure, the growth of the investment attractiveness of this area of activity and the competitiveness of the region as a whole. The article is intended for managers and specialists of organizations and enterprises of the hospitality and tourism industry. Further studies may focus on the development of model solutions in certain areas of activities of enterprises and organizations of the hospitality and tourism industry.