Institute of Geology, Karelian Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russia:

S. A. Svetov, Acting Director, Professor, Doctor of Geologo-Mineralogical Sciences

Institute of Economy, Karelian Research Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petrozavodsk, Russia:
N. G. Kolesnikov, Senior Researcher, Candidate of Economic Sciences

Petrozavodsk State University Petrozavodsk, Russia:
N. V. Kolesnikova, Associate Professor, Candidate of Economic Sciences, natalia.v.kolesnikova@mail.ru

The aim of this article is the assessment of potentiality for engagement of the geology of Yalgora mountain ski resort located in the territory of the Republic of Karelia in the tourism and recreational activities in the region. While evaluating the geological potential of the Republic of Karelia, the authors show two basic features of geological structure of the area: primordial crystalline rocks and loose deposits connected with the activity of terrestrial glaciations. Inclusion of the geological heritage objects in the regional tourism infrastructure is analyzed by the authors in two stages. At the first stage, the potential and attractiveness of the regional geological heritage object as an area of tourist interest is appraised. The attractiveness for tourists is determined based on such factors as the uniqueness of geology, transport accessibility, historical and cultural significance, and capacity of the tourist destination. At the second stage, the authors propose the evaluation procedure for the synergetic effect of a geo-park zone organization, i.e., the effect of interaction between the unique natural geological object and the mountain ski resort in the framework of a coherent “modernized” tourism object model. The direct and indirect effects of the geo-park zone organization are determined. The economic effect is evaluated at a micro-economic level (at the level of Yalgora active rest center) and at a meso-economic level, i.e. at the level of the tourist destination, or the region (Republic of Karelia) as a whole.
The study has been carried out in the framework of implementation of research activities under the Strategic Development Program of the Petrozavodsk State University for 2012–2016.

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