Theoretical approaches to the study of tourist destination

The article considers the main approaches to the study of tourist destination as a social phenomenon. The social essence of tourist destination lies in the needs of a person to move from one locality to another with different goals, motives and attitudes. The criteria of destination assessment involve synthesis of social, cultural and physical characteristics that form a unique regional identity for tourists. An equally important component of tourist destination is a complex of tourist services based on a wide range of resources: a diverse infrastructure, providing for the needs in food, accommodation, security and entertainment. While studying the main approaches, criteria and methods, it is important to create effective managerial mechanisms for the functioning of tourist destination in the border regions. They should be based on the effective foreign and domestic policy, regulation of the information and tourism environment.