The tourist potential of the Silk road countries

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century there are many ambitious projects aimed at the revival of the historical transcontinental route of the Silk road. In these projects, much attention is paid to the development of tourism as one of the most effective mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between the countries. The UNWTO "Silk road" brought together 33 countries. On the one hand, is a colorful space, is rich in tourist destinations and tourism products, with a unique history, diversity of natural conditions and cultural traditions. On the other hand, this territory is radically different in terms of socio-economic development, which affects the state of the tourism industry. Allocated two nuclear of growth - Europe and Japan and rapidly developing countries of South-East Asia. In the mosaic space between these poles come as quite stable in economic terms, the country and the disadvantaged. To evaluate the tourist potential is defined by a set of indicators and the calculation of the integral characteristics, which enabled to distinguish 6 groups of countries. Their analysis is carried out and the regularities in their formation.