Social practices of tourism in modern Russia (by the example of the Volgograd region)

The methodological basis of this research is built within the framework of the theory of social changes conditioned by social practice transformation. The article reveals the concept of the term “practice”. It also highlights the main approaches to studying mobility and connections in the system of tourism social practices (leisure practices, recreation, mobility, infrastructure, institutional factors, etc.). It is shown that social tourism practices are included in a complex with such practices as sports and excursions. Moreover, they are conjugated with space and time and are conditioned by technological progress and socio-economic processes. Several main trends are highlighted in this study. Firstly, changes in practices over time and during processes of institutionalization. Secondly, practices follow the results of infrastructure development. Thirdly, the tourist services market is affected by the economic influence of large companies. There are other main trends described in the article. The empirical base of this study is presented by data from the mass questionnaire survey “Social practices in the tourism field” conducted in the Volgograd region in October - November 2021 ( n = 861; the sample is multi-stage and quota, with quotas by gender and age). The main purpose was to identify the social practices of actors living in the Volgograd region. The main problem was the correlation between Volgograd region residents’ needs and opportunities for the implementation of social practices in the tourism field. It is revealed that income level is one of the leading factors influencing the organization of travel and the choice of a place to relax. The main sources of travel information are virtual and real social networks. The most common social practices are beach holidays and visiting nature. Volgograd region residents prefer to travel with their family and organize their holidays on their own (including traveling by private car). These facts suggest that social practices are not fully implemented, and sometimes actors reproduce a system of social actions or demonstrate affective behavior.