Tourism as a factor of global political influence and positioning

The article considers tourism as an international social phenomenon from the point of view of its connection with the political influence and political positioning of modern states. The article reveals the main manifestations of the essence of tourism as a factor in global political development. It is indicated that tourism is of significant importance in international political relations as a tool for bringing states to global markets, and also as a way for countries to get out of international isolation, a factor in forming a positive image of the country, its investment and other attractiveness, a locomotive for the synergistic development of other sectors of the economy. In addition, it is indicated that the tourist flow can be used in terms of political pressure on a particular state. The features of tourism as a political instrument for the international transmission of humanitarian values and meanings, the implementation of public diplomacy and the application of "soft power" factors in modern international relations are also formulated. The article analyzes several examples of the direct relationship between different forms of international political activity and tourism activities in a retrospective aspect. The authors considered political phenomena of present and past historical periods. The article also formulated several recommendations for harmonizing the impact of tourism activities on political relations at the international and global levels. The special nature of the international political situation in 2022, associated with an unprecedented set of sanctions by Western countries and international organizations against the Russian Federation, is noted. In conclusion, the authors emphasized the necessary to pay special attention to the essential features of tourism activities in the international political process.