Conceptual approaches to sustainable development of tourism in Ukraine: case of Transcarpathian region

Abstract

The article discusses important issues related to ensuring sustainable tourism development in Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. The goals of sustainable development in Ukraine are defined at the legislative level, and their achievement is determined annually by state monitoring data. Transcarpathia is one of the most attractive tourist regions of Ukraine, and tourism is actively developing here. The latter has been gaining even more popularity as a key destination during the Covid-19 pandemic and the martial law in Ukraine, which relates to the restriction of opportunities for tourist travel abroad, as well as the temporary loss of access to other traditional tourist destinations in Ukraine, in particular the Black and the Azov Sea coasts. Both providers and users of tourism services show interest in sustainable development of the tourism industry. Sustainable tourism in the global dimension is a strategic concept for the development of the tourism industry in the coming years and decades. At the same time, in addition to substantial benefits, the growth of the tourist services market in Transcarpathia and the increase in the number of tourists cause certain negative impacts and pose a threat to the sustainable development of the region and the achievement of certain sustainable development goals. It is obvious that these potential negative impacts and threats should be considered in the regional strategy for tourism development in Transcarpathia, and the tourism industry itself should further develop based on the principles and approaches ensuring the sustainable development of the region. The article analyzes the negative impacts and challenges of tourism industry development at the current stage and suggests key elements of ensuring sustainable development of tourism and their gradual implementation. The most attractive tourist destinations are determined based on the amount of tourist tax paid to the budgets of individual territorial communities. Special attention is paid to the role of forestry in Transcarpathia in the development and support of the tourism industry and more active use of ecosystem services, particularly recreational ones provided by forests. The research on the implementation of sustainable tourism development in Transcarpathia aims to ensure general understanding and commitment to sustainable tourism approaches and demonstrate its significance in promoting economic and social growth of the region while minimizing negative social, cultural, and environmental impacts.