CULTURAL TOURISM IN THE POST-GLOBALIZATION ERA: FRANCO-RUSSIAN DIALOGUE

Abstract

Various estimates, cultural tourism accounts for more than 40% of the world's tourist flow, and this type of tourism is also very popular among Russians. Russian cultural destinations are the research object of the present article, in particular, historical footprints of Russian culture in Europe, primarily in contemporary France, where one can find many interesting tourist places associated with Russia, such as cathedrals, bridges, museums, boulevards, and squares. These are I.S. Turgenev’s dacha, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Alexander III Bridge, etc. At the same time, contemporary cultural tourism is inextricably linked with intercultural tourism, focusing on the values of intercultural communication, mutual knowledge, mutual enrichment in the course of cultural exchange of visitors and hosts. The Russian cultural footprint in France is deep, as is the French one in Russia: Russian and French cultures have always been closely connected, and the mutual influence was significant and tangible. Moreover, it is still relevant today, in the era of postglobalization, new world disintegration, and a viral crisis, when the Franco-Russian dialogue needs special attention. Awareness of the importance of the interaction of cultures in the era of neoliberal globalization, as well as the contribution made by tourists to strengthen cultural ties and feelings of mutual sympathy and respect, helps to find solutions necessary for proper construction of the country’s image abroad and creates new perspective tourist cultural routes both in Russia and Europe, which undoubtedly contributes to generating positive attitude towards tourists.