The article covers the problem of international tourism development in the conditions of COVID-19, as well as identifies the main trends of its potential development in the long run. Tourism contributes not only to the economic development of countries, but is the cause of geographical diversification, which dramatically changes the structure of international tourism, so the relevance of the study is indisputable. The purpose of this study is to trace the development trends of such a powerful industry as international tourism during the pandemic period and to develop a strategy for further social growth in this area at the international level. During the research the method of statistical research, the method of comparison, analysis and synthesis, the method of generalization were used. The state of tourism in 2020 in comparison with 2019 is studied. The characteristic features of the current economic situation after the regression in the field of international tourism are formed: the contribution of this link to the world GDP and employment is generalized. The importance of this industry and related industries in the world economic arena is statistically substantiated. The article considers the tendencies of development of the tourist sphere of Europe in modern conditions. The analysis of expenses for internal European tourism is carried out. Prospects for tourism development in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic have been identified. The conclusions of scientific research are formed. As for the possibility of using the results of the study, they are primarily necessary for the formation of an effective policy of international tourism by state regulators at the national and international levels. The practical significance of scientific research lies in the formation of an effective practical mechanism for implementing the strategies of international tourism in the world in terms of COVID-19. The social consequences in the languages ​​of the global COVID-19 pandemic may be a decline in travel services of tour operators as a result of falling profits of companies in the tourism industry and their closure, job losses, reduced taxes to the budget due to the closure of tourism enterprises.