The article examines the problems associated with the stagnation in the field of tourism in Russia. The author notes that our country has great potential, which is not almost realized. It is necessary to refocus on the development of new tourist destinations, create a worthy hotel infrastructure, find new ways to attract tourists. At the present stage there is wealth of experience in the implementation of tourism programs taking into account the interests and wishes of potential customers. Different types of excursion products will allow guiding by the interests of a specific tourist and will make it possible to attract any audience. The author invites to consider an effective international experience in this area and to adapt it to Russian conditions. The potential of Russian regions provides an opportunity to implement the ideas of different excursions. North Caucasus is unique, one-of-a-kind, object that has unlimited opportunities for tourism development. The mountain landscape is promising for the development of extreme tourism products, and the use of balneal resources of the region will attract amateurs of health tourism. Particular attention should be paid to the preparation of informative, historical and archeological tours. National specifics of the North Caucasian republics allow to create ethnographic excursions. The North Caucasus and the whole Southern Federal District have a huge potential for tourism development, which allows to count on attracting domestic and, in the future, foreign tourists. The author suggests that the tourism development should be based on the expansion of the tourism range, and notes that the different types of tourism can be successfully realized in Russia. The article analyzes the experience of foreign countries and provides statistics confirming the hypothesis.