The composition of a tourist destination: a methodology for identification based on OpenStreetMap data

This study aims to identify the components of a tourist destination and analyze its structure using open geodata. The research methodology focuses on assembling a destination "from the bottom up" and involves identifying locations as a set of attractive features. This set of locations, along with transport infrastructure, public catering facilities, and accommodation options, helps to define the destination. This inductive approach allows for a flexible approach to creating the destination, based on tourists' needs and capabilities, season and other factors. The author's concept of various types of tourist destinations is presented. OpenStreetMap data was used for data collection, and geoinformation systems were used for analysis (cluster analysis and route creation). Based on the author's methodology, key locations within the Ulyanovsk city center were identified and a tourist route was created between the main components of the destination, using the “raveling salesman problem” principle. Tourist locations around Lake Turgoyak (Chelyabinsk Oblast) were identified in a similar manner. Methodological issues related to the overlapping and discontinuous nature of the locations were identified. The theoretical and practical significance of this study lies in justifying the approach to determining the morphology of a destination and the possibility of using this methodology to assess the saturation of cities with tourist attractions. The proposed methodology allows for a comparison of destinations in different cities based on their structure and level of development.