The relevance of the investigated problem is caused by the fact that virtually no comprehensive research on issues related to tourism as an integrative multidimensional phenomenon in the socio-cultural environment in the context of globalization has been made by now. The purpose of this article is based on sociological and cultural approach to analyze tourism as a social phenomenon in the context of globalization and multipolarity of the world social system. The leading methods of investigation of this problem are the analysis and synthesis enabling to consider tourism as a complex and global phenomenon. The article presents a systematization of knowledge about tourism as a social phenomenon; also theoretical basis has been expanded for a comprehensive analysis of the socio-cultural aspects of tourism in the era of globalization. The main provisions and conclusions presented in the paper can be used for the further development of methodological approaches in the research of international tourism as a social process for the regulation of tourist flows and the training of specialists in the field of tourism.

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