Methodological approach to researching the state of a regional market of tourist services

Objective: to develop and test a methodology for studying the state of the regional market of tourism services (RMTS); to apply the methodology to identify and analyze the problems of RMTS development in Orel oblast.
Methods: the research is based on a systematic approach. The author used a set of general scientific and general logical methods (analysis, synthesis, comparison, generalization, classification, systematization), as well as statistical analysis. The methodology involves the collection and comparison of data from official sources (Federal Tax Service, Rosstat, UIISS, sector registers of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development), and analytical digital services (Yandex.Wordstat).
Results: the author analyzed the approaches to studying the state of regional markets of tourist services in Russia, sources and systems of indicators used. The study substantiates the need to take into account the specifics of the RMTS formation under the modern conditions; to systematically use a wider range of sources and a system of indicators when analyzing its state to make decisions on formation and development. The author developed a methodology for studying the state of the regional market of tourist services, defined the research design, and detailed its content and sources of information. The methodology helped to identify the problems of RMTS functioning in Orel oblast.
Scientific novelty: the author developed a methodology and design for studying the state of RMTS, which comprehensively reflects the modern market structure, the composition of its participants and their digital activity. Unlike existing approaches, the methodology integrates the analysis of data from government and commercial digital resources and directly links the diagnosis with the identification of specific functioning problems.
Practical significance: the identified problem areas and specific problems of the RMTS in Orel oblast provide the executive authorities and the business community with an objective basis for developing targeted solutions and regulatory mechanisms aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth in the region. The methodology can be applied to analyze other regional markets.

1. Aguinis, H., Kraus, S. A, Poček, J., Meyer, N., & Jensen, S. H. (2023). The why, how, and what of public policy implications of tourism and hospitality research. Tourism Management, 97, 104720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104720

2. Aksenova, E. I., Petrova, G. D., Chernyshev, E. V., & Yudina, N. N. (2020). Recreational potential of medical tourism of Russia. Problems of Social Hygiene, Public Health and History of Medicine, 28, 1180–1185. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.32687/0869- 866X-2020-28-s2-1180-1185

3. Aleksandrova, A. Yu. (2017). Construction of the integrated tourism statistics system in the Russian Federation. Moscow University Economics Bulletin, 6(1), 41–61. (In Russ.).

4. Arefyev, A. S., Saveleva, N. A., Simonyan, A. R., & Gerbaud, L. (2022). Application of the qualitative research methodology grounded theory in studying of the needs of tourist destination stakeholders and developing digital industry platform. Theoretical and Applied Economics, 4, 1–19. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25136/2409-8647.2022.4.38767

5. Arutyunyan, S. A., & Yahontova, M. V. (2019). The current state and problems of development of tourism in the Astrakhan region. Vestnik evraziyskoy nauki, 6(11). (In Russ.).

6. Bobko, K. I., Zatepyakin, O. A., & Bobko, T. V. (2025). Tourism as a diversification factor for the economy of Kemerovo region – Kuzbass. Perm University Herald. Economy, 20(2), 180–198. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17072/1994-9960-2025-2-180-198

7. Bogomazova, I. V., & Klimova, T. B. (2022). Digital services and the tourist ecosystem in the development of domestic tourism. Economics. Information Technologies, 49(4), 718–730. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.52575/2687-0932-2022-49-4-718-730

8. Bolshakov, S. N., & Mikhalchenkova, N. А. (2019). The state and tourism services market assessment in the Komi Republic. Regionalnye problemy preobrazovaniya economiki, 2(100), 125–137. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.26726/1812-7096-2019-2-125-137

9. Dochkina, A. A., & Gradusova, V. N. (2025). Comparative characteristics of tourism development in the regions of the Volga Federal District. Vestnik NII gumanitarnykh nauk pri Pravitelstve Respubliki Mordoviya, 17(1), 39–49. (In Russ.).

10. Ermakova, J. A., & Polyakova, I. L. (2024). Organizational aspects of interregional cooperation in the framework of the formation, promotion and sale of tourism products. Intellect. Innovation. Investments, 4, 26–36. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25198/2077-7175-2024-4-26

11. Fedulin, A. A., Pogrebova, E. S., AfanasIev, O. E., & AfanasIeva, A. V. (2023). Socially beneficial tourism programs for young people: the forms and directions of their organization and implementation. Services in Russia and Abroad, 17, 3(105), 5–20. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8140211

12. Frolova, E. V., & Rogach, O. V. (2023). Limitations and Development Prospects of Domestic Tourism in Russian Regions. Economy of Regions, 19(1), 208–219. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2023-1-16

13. Gamidullaeva, L. A., & Finogeev, A. G. (2023). Methodological approaches to managing the development of sectoral ecosystems (on the example of the tourism industry). π-Economy, 16(2), 7–23. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18721/JE.16201

14. Gladkey, A. V. (2019) Socio-geographical methods of scientific research of tourist services' regional markets. Pskovskiy Regionologicheskiy Zhurnal, 2(38), 86–103. (In Russ.).

15. Gozgor, G., Lau, C. K., Lin, Z., & Zeng, Y. (2024). The impact of digital governance on tourism development. Journal of Digital Economy, 3, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdec.2024.05.003

16. Gushchina, E. G., & Vitalyeva, E. M. (2024). Digitalization as a new reality in the management of the Russian tourism market. Journal of Volgograd State University. Economics, 26(3), 122–133. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15688/ek.jvolsu.2024.3.10

17. Ivleva, O. V., & Shablyauskene, E. V. (2024). Development of the tourism industry of the Kaliningrad region in numbers and key indicators. Services in Russia and Abroad, 18, 4(113), 55–64. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14513732

18. Karlov, A. N., & Bogatyrev, R. A. (2020). Development of tourism in the Russian Federation as a vector of realization the tourist potential in the regions. Central Russian Journal of Social Sciences, 15(6), 191–200. (In Russ.). https://doi.org//10.22394/2071-2367-2020-15-6-191-200

19. Karpova G. A., Pesotskaya E. V., Tkachev V. A. (2017). Tourist information centers and their role in enhancing the competitiveness of tourism clusters. Service Plus, 11(3), 11–20. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.22412/1993-7768-11-3-2

20. Karpova, G. A., Kuchumov, A. V., Sirenko, O. O., & Eremicheva, P. Yu. (2024). The main trends in the development of digital entrepreneurship in tourism. Services in Russia and Abroad, 18, 3(112), 16–25. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14254290

21. Kato, H. (2025). Spatial patterns and geographic characteristics of tourism-accommodation intensity hotspots in Kyoto city. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 6(1), 100178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annale.2025.100178

22. Khairova, E. A. (2020). Analysis of the current state of tourism development in the Republic of Crimea. Vestnik Altajskoy Akademii Economiki i Prava, 10(1), 89–94. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17513/vaael.1351

23. Khodakovskaya, O. P. (2023). Introduction of digital technologies in the field of tourism on the example of the resort city of Sochi. Vestnik Altajskoy Akademii Economiki i Prava, 11–2, 316–322. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17513/vaael.3094

24. Khodakovskaya, O. P. (2024). Review of the results of monitoring the state and development of the competitive environment in the regional tourism market. Proceedings of the Subtropical Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4(3), 45–53. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31360/2949-4591-2024-4-3-45-53

25. Kireeva, M. M., & Pavlenko, I. G. (2021). Methodological approach to assessing the resource potential of a territory for the domestic tourism development. Journal of New Economy, 22(2), 23–43. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.29141/2658-5081-2021-22-2-2

26. Kislova, Yu., & Kazunina, A. (2015). Analysis of the Volume and Structure of Tourist Flows to the Region (the Case of Moscow): Methodology and Evaluation Issues. Logistika, 7, 12–23. (In Russ.).

27. Koroleva, I. S., & Marcinowska, L. V. (2018). Historical-cultural potential as a resource for the development of regional tourism. Research Result. Business and Service Technologies, 4(2), 11–19. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18413/2408-9346-2018-4-2-0-2

28. Koshcheev, D. A., Isopeskul, O. Yu., & Tretyakova, E. A. (2018). Russian model of regional cluster policy in tourism: theoretical and practical issues. Russian Journal of Economic Theory, 15(4), 607–620. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31063/2073-6517/2018.15-4.6

29. Kovaleva, M. A., & Shchebarova, N. N. (2022). Analysis of the impact of the tourism cluster on the development of the regional economy on the example of the Murmansk region. Upravlencheskiy Uchet, 1–2, 231–240. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25806/uu1-22022231-240

30. Kurnosova, E. A. (2015) Methods study of regional tourism market. Vestnik Molodykh Uchenykh i Specialistov Samarskogo Gosudarstvennogo Universiteta, 1(6), 103–107. (In Russ.).

31. Lei, Z., Shanghong, S., & Jie, C. (2024). Study on the influence of global tourism development on the upgrading of county industrial structure. Heliyon 10, e39287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39287

32. Leonidova, E. G. (2022). Priorities and threats for the development of regional tourism. Russian Journal of Regional Studies, 3(30), 624–646. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.120.030.202203.624-646

33. Lukashenok, T. R., & Okhrimenko, E. I. (2022). Tourism in the region: determinants and development trends at the present stage. Journal of Economics, Entrepreneurship and Law, 12(11), 3023–3036. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18334/epp.12.11.116647

34. Makrinova, E. I., Lysenko, V. V., & Falimendikov, I. V. (2020). Priority areas for development and support of domestic tourism under restrictive measures. Vestnik Belgorodskogo Universiteta Cooperacii, Economiki i Prava, 6(85), 23–36. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21295/2223-5639-2020-6-23-36

35. Maksanova, L. B. Zh., & Dambueva, M. M. (2016). The regional approaches to improving the system of tourism statistics. ESSUTM Bulletin, 1(58), 81–88. (In Russ.).

36. Maksanova, L. B. Zh., Khrebtova, T. A., & Badmatsyrenova, M. B. (2023). Tourism in the Far Eastern Federal District: current state and developmental prospects. BSU Bulletin. Economics and Management, 3, 65–75. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18101/2304-4446-2023-3-65-75

37. Minenkova, V. V., Filobok, A. A., Konovalova, A.V., & Morozov, A. N. (2021). Cruise tourism in the Azov-Black Sea basin of Russia. Service and Tourism: Current Challenges, 15(3), 69–83. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/1995-0411-2021-3-69-83

38. Mirolyubova, T. V., Zyryanov, A. I., Myshlyavczeva, S. E., Nikolaev, R. S., Voronchikhina, E. N., & Firsova, A. V. (2023). Features and development prospects of the domestic and incoming tourism in the regional economy of Perm region: monograph. Perm: Perm University. (In Russ.).

39. Mizrachi, I., & Gretzel, U. (2020). Collaborating against COVID‑19: bridging travel and travel tech. Information Technology & Tourism (pp. 489–496). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40558-020-00192-0

40. Moroshkina, M. V., & Kondrateva, S. V. (2021). Regional accessibility as a factor in the development of a tourist destination. Russian Journal of Regional Studies, 29(1), 60–81. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.114.029.202101.060-081

41. Morozov, M. A., & Morozova, N. S. (2021). Regional features of development of tourism infrastructure and their impact on tourism. Russian Journal of Regional Studies, 29(3), 588–610. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.116.029.202103.588-610

42. Myakshin, V. N., Shaparov, A. E., & Tikhanova, D. V. (2021). Improving the assessment of the tourism potential of the Russian Arctic. Economy of Regions, 17(1), 235–248. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2021-1-18

43. Nyurenberger, L. B., Novgorodov, P. A., Malgin, A. V., & Petrenko, N. E. (2022). The Russian market of tourist services: state-ofthe-art, problems and regional specifics. Creative Economy, 16(12), 5079–5100. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18334/ce.16.12.116658

44. Oborin, M. S. (2020a). Religious tourism as a special type of socio-cultural activity. Services in Russia and Abroad, 14(2), 147–156. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/1995-042X2020-10213

45. Oborin, M. S. (2020b). Educational tourism as a promising development direction of youth travel in Russia. Services in Russia and Abroad, 14(3), 86–96. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/1995-042X-2020-10306

46. Oborin, M. S. (2023). A compromise based adaptation strategy for business structure management in crisis. Perm University Herald. Economy, 18(4), 389–408. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17072/1994-9960-2023-4-389-408

47. Ovcharenko, L. A., & Lebezova, E. M. (2021). Digitalization as a new paradigm tourism development management. Age of Quality, 4, 106–126. (In Russ.).

48. Pavlova, Yu. Yu. (2022). Problems and prospects of developing rare types of tourism in the Arkhngelsk region. Vestnik of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, 4, 85–93. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21686/2413-2829-2022-4-85-93

49. Pesotskaya, E. V., Selyutina, L. G. (2021). Marketing concepts in business management in the market of tourist services. Research Result. Business and Service Technologies, 7(1), 23–37. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18413/2408-9346-2021-7-4-0-3

50. Pjanić, M. (2019). Economic effects of tourismon the world economy. In 4th International Thematic Monograph: Modern Management Tools and Economy of Tourism Sector in Present Era (pp. 291–305). https://doi.org/10.31410/tmt.2019.291

51. Plisetsky, E. E., Leonard, K. S., & Ilyina, I. N. (2022). Redefining one-industry towns: targeting tourist development. Public Administration Issues, 2, 114–141. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17323/1999-5431-2022-0-3-114-141

52. Predvoditeleva, M. D., Reshetnikova, K. V., Pustov, L. Yu., & Golubovskaya, P. A. (2023). Russian travel technological startups in 2020–2023: the adaptation to challenges and development perspectives. Russian Management Journal, 21(3), 419–439. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21638/spbu18.2023.306

53. Primayesa, E., Widodo, W., & Sugiyanto, F. X. (2023). Tourism Spatial Spillover Effect and Economic Growth in Indonesia. Economika Regiona, 19(4), 1161–1176. https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2023-4-16

54. Pshenichnykh, Yu. A. (2021). Topical problems of uneven distribution of tourist flows and spatial tourism development in Rostov region. Services in Russia and Abroad, 15(3), 119–130. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/1995-042X-2021-3-119-130

55. Robina-Ramírez, R., Torrecilla-Pinero, J., Leal-Solís, A., & Pav_on-Pérez, J. A. (2023). Tourism as a driver of economic and social development in underdeveloped regions. Regional Science Policy & Practice, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/rsp3.12639

56. Romantsova, D. V., & Dotsenko, A. A. (2022). Personnel hunger in the tourism industry of Primorsky Krai. Services in Russia and Abroad, 16(2), 112–120. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/1995-042X2022-2-112-120

57. Sarancha, M. A. (2020) Assessing competitiveness of the Baltic states in tourism. Baltiiskii Region, 12(3), 147–165. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.5922/2078-8555-2020-3-9

58. Semerkova, L. N., Zinchenko, S. V., & Bizhanova, E. M. (2019). Actual problems of uneven distribution of tourist streams. University Proceedings. Volga Region. Social Sciences, 1(49), 168–178. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21685/2072-3016-2019-1-17

59. Shabalina, N. V., Azina, E. A., & Kashirina, E. S. (2021). The potential of Russian regions for industrial tourism development. Service and Tourism: Current Challenges, 15(2), 58–67. (In Russ.). https//doi.org/10.24412/1995-0411-2021-2-58-67

60. Shabanova, L. B., Yusupova, G. R., & Kabirov, I. S. (2022). Transformation of the tourism industry after covid-19 pandemic and sanctions. Bulletin of Kemerovo State University. Series: Political, Sociological and Economic Sciences, 7(4), 511–520. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21603/2500-3372-2022-7-4-511-520

61. Sharma, G. D., Taheri, B., Cichon, D., Parihar, J. S., & Kharbanda, A. (2024). Using innovation and entrepreneurship for creating edge in service firms: A review research of tourism and hospitality industry. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 9(4), 100572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2024.100572

62. Shmarkov, M. S., Tsyokhla, S. Yu., Shmarkova, L. I., & Kazakova, M. V. (2024). Gastronomic tourism as a driver of the development of the regional market of tourist services: assessment of the state and prospects. Research Result. Business and Service Technologies, 10(4), 67–83. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18413/2408-9346-2024-10-4-0-5

63. Shmarkov, M. S., & Shmarkova, L. I. (2024). Assessment and comparison of tourist potential and public ratings of regions for the regional tourist market development (by the example of Orel region). Russian Journal of Economics and Law, 18(3), 729–758. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21202/2782-2923.2024.3.729-758

64. Shmarkov, M. S., Shmarkova, L. I., & Shmarkova, E. A. (2021). Adaptation of tourism enterprises activities to crisis conditions. OrelGIET Bulletin, 2(56), 37–41. (In Russ.). http://doi.org/10.36683/2076-5347-2021-2-56-37-41

65. Shmarkov, M. S. (2025). Regional market of tourist services in Orel oblast: transformation and development prospects. Orel State University. (In Russ.).

66. Shnorr, Zh. P. (2023). Improvement of methodological approaches to the assessment of the hotel services regional market development. Vestnik Belgorodskogo Universiteta Kooperacii, Economiki i Prava, 3(100), 48–61. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21295/2223-5639-2023-3-48-61

67. Shpyrnya, O. V., & Koreneva, M. V. (2019). New technologies for tourist services market development. Scientific Bulletin of the Southern Institute of Management, 4, 113–116. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.31775/2305-3100-2019-4-113-116

68. Singh, D., & Alam, Q. (2024). Is tourism expansion the key to economic growth in India? An aggregate-level time series analysis. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 5(2), 100126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annale.2024.100126

69. Sitkevich, D. A. (2024). Resources and barriers to the development of internal tourism in Russian regions: evidence from Dagestan. Moscow University Economics Bulletin, 59(1), 203–220. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0130-0105-6-59-1-10

70. Sizeneva, L. A. (2018). Methodology for assessing the consumer attractiveness of regional tourist products. Services in Russia and Abroad, 12, 3(81), 90–111. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/1995-042X-2018-10307

71. Stepanova, S. V., & Shulepov, V. I. (2018). Tourist infrastructure in a municipality: approaches to assess. Vestnik of Volga State University of Technology. Series: Economy and Management, 4(40), 5–16. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15350/2306-2800.2018.4.5

72. Stroeva, A. G., Ivolga, A. G., & Elfimova, Yu. M. (2021) Rural tourism as a promising direction for the rural areas development in Russian regions. Services in Russia and Abroad, 15, 2(94), 110–120. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/1995-042X-2021-2-110-120

73. Su, Y., Cherian, J., Sial, M., Badulescu, A., Phung Anh, Badulescu, D., & Samad Does, S. (2021). Tourism Affect Economic Growth of China? A Panel Granger Causality Approach. Sustainability, 13(3), https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031349

74. Tan, Y.-T., Gan, P.-T., Hadi, F. S. A., & Gamal, A. A. M. (2025). Tourism’s Impact on Economic and Human Development: Evidence from ASEAN 5. Economika Regiona, 21(1), 166–179. https://doi.org/10.17059/ekon.reg.2025-1-12

75. Telnykh, V. V. (2019) Market of tourist services of Krasnoyarsk region: trends and features of development. Fundamentalnye Issledovaniya, 2, 26–31. (In Russ.).

76. Troshkina, I. N. (2022). Innovative directions of local tourism development (experience of the Republic of Khakassia). Services in Russia and Abroad, 16, 3(100), 64–75. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/1995-042X-2022-3-64-75

77. Tsvetkov, A. Y. (2023). Rospects of arctic tourism in Russia in current conditions. Arctic and North, 51, 233–246. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2023.51.233

78. Vakhrameeva, M. V., Rozanova, T. P., Salin, V. N., & Shpakovskaya, E. P. (2016). International standards of creating tourism statistics indicators system. Journal of Legal and Economic Studies, 3, 95–103. (In Russ.).

79. Velichkina, A. V. (2014). Assessment of the regional tourism infrastructure development. Economicheskie i Sotsialnye Peremeny: Fakty, Tendentsii, Prognoz, 2(32), 239–250. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.15838/esc/2014.2.32.18

80. Yankevich, E. M. (2021). Assessment of Social and Economic Effects of Shaping a Regional Tourist Destination. Right. Economy. Psychology, 4(24), 59–68. (In Russ.).

81. Zaburaeva, H. S., & Shaipova, A. A. (2025). Mountain regions of Russia as centers for the development of ecological tourism. Geology and Geophysics of Russian South, 15(1), 180–193. (In Russ.). https:/doi.org/10.46698/VNC.2025.26.88.015

82. Zeveke, O. Yu., Grishina, T. V., Shadchenko, N. Yu., & Syrnikova, L. V. (2019). Review of existing international and Russian methods of evaluation of tourist flow. Horizons of Economics, 3(49), 19–28. (In Russ.).

83. Zhang, J. (2017) Analysis of the factors affecting the efficiency of regional tourism growth in China. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Education, Management, Information and Mechanical Engineering (EMIM 2017) (pp. 1601–1605). https://doi.org/10.2991/emim-17.2017.324

84. Zhelnina, Z. Y. (2021). Tourism of the Murmansk region as a driver of territory development. Obshhestvo: Politika, Eсonomika, Pravo, 9(98), 65–75. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24158/pep.2021.9.11

85. Zyrianov, A. I., Korolyov, A. Yu., Myshlyavtseva, S. E., & Safaryan, A. A. (2017). Arranging the territories of active tourism in Ural. Service and Tourism: Current Challenges, 11(3), 130–141. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.22412/1995-0411-2017-11-3-130-141