Introduction. The changing in social structure of our country in the early 1990s led to changes in the spatial distribution of intercity service sector and tourism. Radical transformation affected either territorial economic ties or tourism industry management system. Methodology. As a consequence, the theory of territorial tourist complexes became unsuitable. The concept of tourism clusters was found instead of it but with a delay of 10–15 years. Analysis. We show that the current practice of land use and tourism business cannot promote the clusters formation, but on the contrary: cooperation inhibits, unproductive competition intensifies, the usual forms of social comfort recreation decomposes. We use as the example Krasnodar with sociological survey data, data from official sources, urban planning documents and reports from scientific institutions. Conclusions. The intervention of the authorities is required. It shall organize the urban placement of all service facilities.