Comparative analysis of a tourism cluster in the Baikal region: role of cooperation as a factor of development

The article investigates cooperation in the field of tourism as a factor and feature of tourism clusters development. The analysis of tourism clusters development, trends and most common forms of cooperation between the participants in two regions of the Baikal region (Irkutsk region and the Republic of Buryatia) was carried out based on the results of interviews with representatives of tourism business, education and government. The results indicate that compared with European practice, the areas of cooperation of Russian tourism sector enterprises with other economic actors are less diverse. Some attributes of cluster development based on cooperation are indicated in the Republic of Buryatia, whereas they are missing in the Irkutsk region, although two regions are the objects of a number of national and regional development programs aimed at tourism clusters development.