The modern tourism industry has become one of the key sectors in global economy, which has been most affected by a difficult epidemiological situation in the world and the distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic. A sharp decline in demand for tourist services, the introduction of severe sanitary restrictions on the operation of entertainment, hospitality, catering and recreation, public transport has negatively affected the dynamics of tourism enterprises development. That is why, investigations of further development of the tourism sector in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are very important. Investigations of tourism development directions after systemic crisis as well as investigations of different optimization mechanisms for regulating tourism activities in new realities of world community existence are also of particular relevance today. The research is based on analytical, statistical and forecasting papers of The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), The World Health Organization (WHO), The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The following research methods were used: analytical, statistical, forecasting, comparative-geographical, modeling, graphic. The features of international tourism development in the frames of the COVID-19 pandemic are disclosed. The statistical indicators of tourism industry development over 2 last years in the frames of COVID-19 distribution are analyzed. The consequences of COVID-19 impact on international tourism development are explored. The main priorities for further development of international tourism after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic are proposed. The mechanisms of functioning for tourism enterprises optimization in new conditions are described.