The Development of the “Pskov—Pechory—Tartu” Transboundary Tourism and Recreation Region

Abstract

The social and economic periphery of the Pskov region (Russia) and the southeastern part of Estonia is in need of new growth poles that would reverse the situation in the border areas. This research seeks to identify the characteristic features of Russia’s and Estonia’s border areas comprising a transboundary tourism and recreation region. The central method used in this research is the evaluation of primary and secondary factors behind the formation of the transboundary tourism and recreation region. These factors are instrumental in estimating the prospects of transboundary tourism and recreation microregions of different levels. The study has shown that the Pechory district of the Pskov region and Estonia’s neighbouring Võrumaa and Põlvamaa districts constitute a transboundary tourism and recreation microregion, which I call “Setomaa”. Boasting unique tourism and recreation resources, this transboundary microregion has excellent development prospects. I suggest that a higher-level transboundary microregion that brings together Setomaa and the “core” cities of Pskov and Tartu should be referred to as “Pskov—Pechory—Tartu”.