Impact of Weather Conditions on Tourist Potential of the Caucasus Region
https://doi.org/10.31857/S2587556622050144
Abstract
Outdoor tourism and recreational activities highly depend on the meteorological conditions. In this study, we assess the suitability of weather conditions for various forms of outdoor activities and recreation in the Russian part of the Caucasus. 11 weather stations that represent different tourist regions of the Caucasus (seaside, foothills, and mountains) were selected to analyze the suitability of weather conditions for various types of outdoor recreation. A Weather Suitability Index (WSI) was used to evaluate climate suitability for tourism and open-air recreation. An adaptation problem arises when arriving at a resort since most tourists come to the resorts of the North Caucasus from other regions of Russia, the climatic conditions of Russia are very diverse, and the “home” conditions can be very different from those experienced at a place of stay. An Adaptation Strain Index (ASI) was used to assess the level of adaptation that occurs during rapid movement from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Yekaterinburg, and Irkutsk to the Caucasus region at different seasons. As usual, the high tourist season in the study region is observed in the summer months. The results of the study show that passive forms of recreation (sun and air bathing) are preferable from June to September at the locations represented by stations on the coast. For active types of recreation, the Caucasus region is suitable throughout almost the whole year. Moreover, in the mid-seasons, less adaptation is required when moving to the place of stay. This fact offers great opportunities for developing various forms of tourism in the region, and not only in the summer months.
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out within the framework of the state-ordered research theme of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences AAAA-A19- 119022190173-2 (FMGE-2019-0009).
About the Author
V. V. Vinogradova
Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Moscow
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For citations:
Vinogradova V.V. Impact of Weather Conditions on Tourist Potential of the Caucasus Region. Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk. Seriya Geograficheskaya. 2022;86(5):799–814. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.31857/S2587556622050144
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