Problems and prospects of travel industry development

On the basis of the federal special purpose program “Development of domestic and inbound tourism in the Russian Federation (2011-2018)" and the Tourism Development Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period until 2020, the article analyzes the problems hindering the development of the travel industry. The author highlights the role of tourism as a factor that unites mass and high cultures (by means of the mass culture that attracts public attention, the society is familiarized with achievements of the elite culture). The paper emphasizes the need to develop transport infrastructure and comfortable information environment for tourists.