“THE RUSSIAN WORLD” ON THE BUDVA RIVIERA: TOURISM AND FOREIGN POLICY PROCESS IN THE MONTENEGRO

Abstract

Abstract. The article is devoted to the study of the role and place of tourism in the transformation of the foreign policy course of post-Yugoslavian Montenegro. The focus is on the impact of Russian tourism on key directions and foreign policy problems of the country. The work is based on the concept of transnationalism. Within this approach, global tourist flows are considered as a kind of transnational social space, in which the tourist is always an actor, performing various social actions related to interaction with the different environment. The publication reveals a historical retrospective of geopolitical presence of Russia in the Western Balkans. The cultural, investment and tourism components of Russia's influence on the social and political life of post-Yugoslavian Montenegro are highlighted. Principal indicators of tourism development in the country, the contribution of Russian tourism to the total volume of international tourist arrivals are investigated. Significant politicization of the tourist process in Montenegro is claimed. In mono-dependent on international tourism economy of Montenegro, tourism has influenced the politically-motivated rethinking of the traditions of relations with Serbia, Russia and the West. It has become a factor in the electoral struggle in the society and affected the transformation of Montenegro's geopolitical landmarks. The publication analyzes Russia's attempts to destabilize the country's political situation in the context of its accession to NATO. First of all, by exploiting Montenegro's dependence on Russian investment and tourist flows, the application of information warfare technologies. Culture and tourism are said to be an important component of the new concept of sovereignty, where demonstration of openness and a new European identity have underpinned Montenegro's geopolitical transformation – from the Balkans to the country that has come close to the EU. At the same time, Montenegro's example reflects the increasing political and economic importance of tourism in the world political processes and ensuring international political interaction. Key words: Montenegro, Yugoslavia, Western Balkans, International Tourism, Tourist Flows, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, European Integration.