Transformation of the legal understanding of the tourist product: from unification to differentiated regulation

The aim of this study is a methodological analysis of the draft law that changes the concept of "tourist product." In accordance with the chosen goal, the following tasks have been set: to conduct a historical and legal analysis of the formation and development of the concept of "tourist product" and to investigate the content of the draft law aimed at differentiating the concept of "tourist product." The object of the study is the legal regulation of tourism activities in the Russian Federation, in particular – the regulatory framework defining the concept and content of the tourist product (including the Federal Law "On the Basics of Tourism Activities in the Russian Federation" from 1996), as well as draft law No. 918087. The subject of this article is the legal nature of the concept of "tourist product," its evolution, problematic aspects of interpretation and application, as well as the proposed differentiation of the concept with respect to different types of tourism (outbound, domestic, inbound) in the context of current transformational processes in the industry. The methodological basis of the study is formed on the basis of general scientific and special methods of cognition, including historical-legal, systematic, formal-legal, comparative-legal, dialectical methods, as well as the method of legal modeling. The scientific novelty of the research is confirmed by a comprehensive analysis of the legal nature of the tourist product, the development of a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of the differentiation of legal regulation, the identification of potential risks when implementing changes, the formation of a model for improving legal regulation, and the development of practical recommendations for minimizing legal risks. The theoretical significance of the work lies in the development of new approaches to understanding the legal nature of the tourist product in the context of its differentiation. The practical significance of the research consists in determining directions for minimizing legal risks when implementing a differentiated approach and creating a methodological basis for further research on the problems of legal regulation in the tourism sector. The results of the study can be used in the development of new regulatory legal acts in the field of tourism, in the law enforcement practice of government authorities, and in scientific research activities.