Theoretical and methodological foundations of the European Union tourism policy research

This article analyses the theoretical and methodological foundations of tourism policy of the European Union. The authors systematize theoretical approaches to determine the definition of «tourism policy», propose an interpretation of term «tourism policy of the state». Overview objectives and main directions of tourism policy of the EU and described the institutional apparatus of the regulation implementing tourism policy in the EU. The article analyses preconditions for sustainable tourism development in the European Union under the conditions of globalization challenges of the world economy. The authors formulate content of the main stages of the development of tourism policy in a region within the EU.