The article investigates the theoretical and methodological principles of tourist local lore. Studying the tourism potential of countries and presenting research results for the needs of the tourism industry is important today, as the tourism industry is developing rapidly, more and more countries specialize in providing tourism services, expanding their range. Tourism is important for the socio-economic development of countries and regions, affects their role in the world community as an area of international specialization. The functions are defined and the principles of tourist local lore are revealed. The main functions of regional studies are informational, educational, constructive, developmental, educational. The principles of regional studies are chorological, regionalism, complexity, genetic, global, ecological, humanistic. The importance of information technologies for tourism, in particular geographical information systems, is considered. The connections of tourist local lore with other sciences are given. It is analyzed that promising tasks of tourism geography are the study of lifestyles of different countries, expanding the boundaries of tourism, assessing the development of tourism in different countries, studying international experience in the use and reproduction of tourism resources, coverage of tourism policy. The peculiarities of regional studies for the needs of tourism are determined. The study of certain components of the natural environment, architectural monuments, cultural heritage, recreational opportunities, the formation of a positive "tourist image" of individual territories and countries contribute to the development of tourism business, attract domestic and foreign investment, solve economic and environmental problems. The scheme of tourist and local lore research is offered, the main sections of which are: general information about the country, geographical location, natural conditions and resources, population, history of settlement and development of the country, economy, territorial differences, tourist formalities. It is indicated that the results of research of tourist local lore are used by organizers of tourist activity and consumers of tourist product.