Revisiting the notion of “sustainable tourism” for legal regulation purposes in Russian Federation and Republic of Belarus

The article considers theoretical aspects of a most important contemporary issue, i.e. modern approaches to sustainable tourism. The study shows the main relationships of the phenomenon with sustainable economic and social development. The research results in identification of the essential characteristics (signs) of sustainable tourism, i.e. for the legal regulation purposes. The concept of “sustainable tourism” for deliberate influence of the state on public relations in tourism using special legal means and methods was defined. The conclusions may improve the current regulatory framework of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. Changes and additions to the national laws on tourism are suggested and justified. They relate to introduction of the definition of the concept of “sustainable tourism” and inclusion of the principle of sustainable tourism development