Prospects of forming the organized tourist flow to the tourism-recreation cluster "Salt lakes" (the city of Sol-Iletsk, Orenburg region)

The article is devoted to the methodological and practical aspects of forming the organized tourist flow in the tourism-recreation clusters. It discusses the concept of organized and amateur tourism, activity of tour operators and travel agencies in the development of the tourism and recreational clusters. The basic schemes of interaction between tourists and tourism companies in the organized tourism development are described. Perspectivity and priority of not only quantitative but also qualitative development of tourist flows to specific touristic and recreational areas defined by organized tourism are identified. The positive characteristics of organized tourism for tourists and tourist services enterprises are noted. The article deals with the tourism and recreation cluster (TRC) "Salt Lake" as an example of touristic and recreational area. Currently, organized tourism is its priority direction. The authors analyze the basic infrastructure of the re- sort, which is the background for the development of tourism activity. Some results of marketing research of preferences and demand for the tourism industry in Orenburg region relating to the TRC "Salt Lake" are presented. The authors reveal peculiarities of forming the organized tourist flow to the TRC "Salt Lake", which are associated with the definition of two directions: health and wellness tourism (including medical) and recreation. The article presents the scheme of forming the organized and amateur tourist flows in the TRC "Salt Lake". The authors describe the activities aimed at the forming the flow of organized tourists: categorization and standardization of enterprises of tourism industry in Sol-Iletsk (especially of collective accommodation facili- ties); development and maintenance of the tourism industry database; ex- pansion of medical-health basis for the providing appropriate tourist services; the revitalization of work with the regional tour operators engaged in the domestic tourism development in Russia, etc.