Introduction. Tourism today is not only about travel and impressions, but also the implementation of educational programs and production projects, scientific research, etc. Despite a significant amount of research, innovations related to regulatory regulation, the emergence of strategic planning documents in the field of tourism and hospitality, force us to build a new trajectory in the education and organization of these tourist destinations. The purpose of the work is to identify opportunities and ways to implement the Russian Youth and Student Tourism Program at the regional level in the context of the development of the tourism industry and modern educational trends. Methodology and methods. The article uses general scientific and special research methods. The authors studied the regional experience of implementing the Program by the university as a host and sending party. A sociological survey of the participants was conducted. Results. Conclusions are drawn about the need to update and work out some organizational issues aimed at improving the effectiveness of the Program and interuniversity cooperation. The youth and student tourism program is a new vector in the development of the tourism industry and education, influencing not only domestic tourism, but also contributing to the formation of professional competencies, practice-oriented learning and improving the level of education in general.