The Russian tourist market, which was formed in the 1990s against the backdrop of a long-term shortage of outbound tourism, continues to develop even in crisis conditions, including by improving the quality of the business environment, the development of which made it possible to solve a number of important tasks. At the same time, the pace of development of business activity does not meet the planned strategic guidelines, which require the creation of a sovereign economic model of development, as only 62% of representatives of the business community believe that the Russian Federation in its development follows its own model. In this study, a comparative analysis of the dynamics of tourism development as a key sector of the economy of many Russian regions is carried out in order to form promising directions for the development of the industry, which largely forms the business climate in the regions. In the course of the study the following methods were used: comparative analysis, quantitative and qualitative measurements, expert assessment, etc. The results obtained made it possible to substantiate that Russian tourism, despite the ongoing pandemic, continues to develop based on a balanced combination of market mechanisms and state support measures. From the point of view of the author, it is this approach that makes it possible to form a harmonious model for the development of the Russian market of tourist services, the priority of which will be domestic tourism, which can enhance the development of tourism infrastructure and increase the investment attractiveness of the regions.