Foreign tourism in the USSR: reflection the educational and scientific literature

The Soviet Union from the first years of its existence has become an integral part of the global tourism development. Foreign tourism was supported by the state through the state tourism company “Intourist”. “Intourist's” perennial presence on the international tourism market contributed to the formation and development of sustainable brand of the tourism company, providing its rightful place among the world famous tourism brands overseas. In the scientific and educational literature of the Soviet period international tourism began to find its system- atic reflection at the end of 1960-70-ies. The research laboratory for foreign tourism was cre- ated in 1970-ies in the structure of State for Foreign Tourism Administration under the USSR Council of Ministers. It was engaged in the study of foreign experience, conducted surveys of foreign tourists in order to enhance service quality. The modern educational and methodi- cal literature considers the tourism company «Intourist» mainly in the historical aspect as one of the leading tourism organizations of the Soviet period. Currently, “Intourist' is integrated into an international corporation Thomas Cook. Although the company is not a monopolist in the Russian tourism market anymore, it continues to evolve as the larg- est Russian multi-tour operator, which has retained its own brand and its position in the system of tour operator activities of modern Russia. Modern “Intourist” is actively work- ing in the field of inbound, outbound and domestic tourism, serving international business and leisure travelers, and offers a range of individual and group tours across the Russian Federation and in the world.