Formation and Implementation of a Tourist Destination Development Strategy Based on Territorial Marketing Conception

Abstract

The article examines and estimates the possibility of applying the conception of territorial marketing when planning and managing the development of tourist destination. In real terms, territorial marketing recognizes branding as a key element of territory promotion. Branding of destinations, being well-developed in theory, is widely applied. Since 2003, China has introduced a system of touristic sites classification that ranks destinations from the lowest A-level to the highest 5A. The latter marks a site as world famous landmark, which means a considerable increase in tourist flow. In the run-up to the Winter Olympics, winter sports and tourism are gaining popularity in China. International Tourism Investment Association operates a winter sports center in Heilongjiang Province. Following the increasing demand for winter tourism services, the company has decided to implement a development strategy for Finshuishan Mountain Winter Sports Center to raise the destination to 5A-level. The project involved working out a program of a complex territorial marketing strategy, and operationally, the goal has been achieved. However, due to formal reasons, namely, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Winter Sports Center cannot be classified as 5A.