ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES FOR STUDYING THE TOURIST ATTRACTIVENESS OF SMALL AND MEDIUM CITIES (CASE STUDY OF THE PERM REGION)

The main aim of the study is to elaborate the assessment methodology for studying the tourist attractiveness of cities. The assessment procedures were tested for small and medium cities of the Perm region. The cities were assessed according to 8 criteria and 30 indicators. According to the results of calculations, four groups of cities with different indices of tourist attractiveness were identified. The group of the highest tourism attractiveness included the cities of Kungur, Solikamsk, Tchaikovsky and Osa. These are mainly cities that have preserved a rich cultural and natural heritage; over the past two decades there is a systematic approach in making managerial decisions to create a friendly environment. The second group includes the cities of Kudymkar, Nytva, Lysva, Ocher, Cherdyn, Dobryanka and Krasnokamsk. The cities have less attractors of tourist flows. The exception is Cherdyn, which has a high density of cultural heritage, but lags behind in the formation of a service environment. The cities of the group have a high potential, but the increase in tourist attractiveness will depend on the diversification and intensification of the industrial and non-industrial spheres. The third group includes the cities of Gubakha, Chusovoy, Chernushka, Usolye, Krasnovishersk and Vereshchagino. Most of the cities are well-recognizable, due to their location near significant tourist landmarks. To increase the attractiveness of the city centers it is necessary to ensure their closer connection with the surrounding dominants in order to achieve a synergy effect. The fourth group included the cities of Chermoz, Okhansk, Kizel, Aleksandrovsk, Gornozavodsk and Gremyachinsk. The group brings together the cities with the highest share of the lowest performance scores. Their further development requires the formation of a touristfrien