The article deals with the development of approaches aimed at increasing the competitiveness of hotel business operators in present-day conditions. It is revealed that there is no uniform approach to a comprehensive assessment of hotel facilities operating efficiency. The proposed scheme of grouping of indicators for assessing the operation effectiveness of the hotel business according to criterial directions makes it possible to define functional and estimated indicators. The dynamics analysis of hotel facilities’ operating efficiency is carried out based on clusters within groups of functional and estimated indicators as well as within criterial directions, which allowed uncovering the content of the problems arising before executives during search for ways to enhance operating efficiency of the hotel facilities. The article offers a clear organization of the analytical process to identify the features of the hotel enterprises’ status and development in the context of individual groups, as well as to carry out qualitative and effective economic analysis.

This paper is devoted to developing a set of techniques for boosting the competitiveness of hotel business operators under the conditions of today. The authors substantiate that hotel business operators need government support in ensuring the interoperability of documentation relating to strategic and territorial planning at all levels of governance and in developing hospitality industry infrastructure in recreationally attractive regions. It is established that of special relevance is implementing in the management of domestic hotel complexes the latest efficient management models that are consistent with world standards. Some of the key activities suggested to be undertaken to enhance the domestic hotel sector include building new hotel complexes, renovating existing ones, and boosting the level of service provided by hotels. The study helps identify a set of priority vectors for the development of hotel business operators, including the development of the material base of hotel enterprises through attracting additional investment for renovations and new construction projects.

The paper is devoted to the development of approaches for the improvement of quality of hotel services on innovative basis. It has been established that in the market of hotel services, innovations are being introduced successfully for the purpose of attracting as many customers as possible. All this ensures development of new technologies of constructing hotels, appearance of new market segments satisfying a diverse demand of visitors. It has been proved that to improve the quality of hotel services, it is necessary to develop a strategy and tactics of development of hotel business on innovative basis. It has been determined that introduction of innovations must be realised both at the level of the state and at the level of separate hotels. Further innovative growth will allow improving the quality of hotel services in the world market of hotel real estate. However, this is possible in case of normalization of the economic and political situation in the country and creation of conditions for investment attractiveness in hotel business.

The article examines the issues of assessing the competencies of graduates of higher educational institutions, including those that prepare personnel for tourism and hospitality. Within the framework of this research, general scientific methods of cognition were used, including methods of scientific and theoretical research (analysis, synthesis, aggregation) and empirical methods (observation, comparison), system approach method, desk and sociological research methods. The basic tendencies of the development of domestic and inbound tourism in Russia are substantiated, including in the field of personnel training and evaluation of their qualifications. Based on an expert survey of hotel managers and travel agencies in Moscow, the most common shortcomings in the training system were identified, and the competence of graduates who were trained in Russian universities in the areas of preparation "Hospitality" and "Tourism" (bachelor's degree) was identified as the most important for employers. The role of information technologies in the issues of the convergence of the tourism industry and the personnel training system has been substantiated, and the main directions of activity on application of computer knowledge and skills of students in the educational process are described. The materials of the article are of practical value for educational organizations engaged in the training of personnel for tourism and hotel business, and for the enterprises in this field.

The article is devoted to the improvement of marketing communications in tourism and hospitality enterprises. It has been established that digital technologies used in marketing communications of tourism and hospitality enterprises will, in the nearest future, aim to create new forms of interaction with the audience. It has been proved that the crowd marketing method within integrated marketing communications, which accomplishes tasks comprehensively, could be of help in this regard. It has been determined that for the improvement of efficiency of marketing communications in the tourism and hospitality industry, it is of vital importance to invest in new digital channels of communication with the current and potential clients, to form new forms of relations for the exploration of new possibilities, to offer generous benefits for the attraction of consumers and to create autonomous and network communities for the solidification of the brand.