Institutional Approach in Recreational–Geographical Research

This article is concerned with the development of an institutional approach in recreational–geographical research. Its essence lies in the study of patterns of associated territorial and institutional development of tourism and recreational activities, which form the most important institution of our time—a system of specific norms and rules, as well as specialized organizations intended to meet the needs of people for rest and recovery, streamline and regulate the tourism industry, and use natural and cultural values for recreational aims. Within recreational–geographical research, the institution under study is considered as an object of geographical research that has relatively stable ties with specific territories and influences their nature, society, and economy. To develop a logical research scheme, a methodological approach was used based on identifying common elements and points of connection between the models proposed by recreational geography and sociology. It is based on systemic, institutional, and spatial concepts of tourism and recreational activities. The core of the scheme is tourist territories characterized by the originality of the institutional environment. The associated territorial institutional and recreational systems are an analytical tool. This makes it possible to organize territorial, institutional, spatial, and other types of interactions that arise as a result of tourist exchange and the institutional adaptation of the territory to tourism and recreation, contributing to the formation of an integral tourism and recreational space. It is shown that institutional conditions formed at various hierarchical levels determine both opportunities and limitations for the development of tourist territories and act as a significant factor in the territorial organization of tourism and recreational activities. One integral part of the recreational environment is the institutional environment, i.e., a territorially confined set of institutional conditions, a sphere of interaction of various institutions. Institutions operating within the territory can interact regarding the organization of recreation and tourism and form territorial institutional systems. One example of the application of the institutional approach is the Baikal natural territory (BNT), which is characterized by a complex combination of current environmental restrictions and, at the same time, a special attractiveness for tourists. Under such conditions, the lake shore has become an institutional epicenter of ecological and economic problems and is of particular interest as an object of institutional recreational–geographical research.