Social and economic features of tourism and its development prospects in the Russian Federation

The research of tourism is currently relevant since the tourist sector development in the Russian Federation is one of the priorities of the social and economic development of the society. The article studies some interpretations of the tourism phenomenon, and considers its social and economic features. The author pays special attention to development prospects of the tourism in Russia, particularly, regarding Federal special-purpose program “Development of the domestic and incoming tourism in the Russian Federation (2011-2018)”.