Russia’s North-West Borders: Tourism Resource Potential
Being an area of development of Russia’s northwest border regions, tourism re- quires the extending of border regions’ appeal. A unique resource of the north- western border regions are the current and historical state borders and border facil- ities. Successful international experience of creating and developing tourist attrac- tions and destinations using the unique geographical position of sites and territories may help to unlock the potential of Russia’s north-western border regions. This arti- cle interprets the tourism resource of borders - which often remains overlooked and unfulfilled - as an opportunity for tourism and recreation development in the border regions of Russia’s North-West. The author summarises international prac- tices of using the potential of state borders as a resource and analyses the creation of tourist attractions and destinations in the Nordic countries. The article explores the degree the state border potential is developed as a tourism resource in Russia’s North-West. The author analyses opportunities and gives recommendations for a better use of this potential by the tourist industry to increase the contribution of tourism to regional economies.