Tourism industry development on the basis of cluster concept and the possibilities of information technology using in cluster formations
In the introduction, an object of investigation is pointed - a cluster concept based on the destination approach in close interconnection with information technology. The relevance of the research is determined for the Belarus tourism industry subjects. The purpose is to substantiate an approach to the effective tourism clusters organization and functioning based on a destination approach in close connection with the use of information technology. The main part considers theoretical developments in the field of tourism and conceptual models on the regional competitiveness, gives a description of the concepts of “tourist destination” and “tourism cluster”, and highlights their distinctive features. The experience of creating Belarusian tourism clusters is analyzed, the dynamics of the using information platforms effectiveness by tourism clusters of the country is presented: “Valozhinsky Gostincy”, “Mukhovetska Kumora”, “Green amulet of Grodno”, “Green ring of Baranavichy”. The necessity of using information platforms has been proved in the creation and functioning of tourism clusters with the aim of effective coordination and the perception of the tourism cluster as a whole organism. The process stages of implementing information technology in the functioning of the tourism cluster are determined.Four main elements of the management information system are also identified that determine the possibility of creating and the normal functioning of the tourism cluster: 1) determining factors; 2) destination management; 3) the main tourist and recreational resources; 4) supporting factors and resources. Based on the features of the tourism cluster functioning, three distinctive features of the implementation of information networks were noted. The results can be applied in the management of the national tourism industry, in the work of government bodies (Regional administrations of sports and tourism, the National Tourism Agency), in the real sector of the economy (tourism organizations), in the educational space (textbooks, training programs).