Geoeconomics of Cultural Tourism in Ukraine: Strategies for Recovery and Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58423/2786-6742/2026-14-179-198Keywords:
geo-economics, cultural tourism, recovery strategy, tourist flows, territorial asymmetry, digital technologies, economic resilience, regional developmentAbstract
The article examines the geo-economic aspects of cultural tourism development in Ukraine under the conditions of a full-scale war and post-conflict transformation of the economy and tourism infrastructure. An analysis is conducted of the scale of destruction of cultural heritage, the dynamics of international and domestic tourist flows, territorial asymmetries in regional development, and the economic losses of the sector. Key geo-economic nodes of cultural tourism are identified, and their resilience and recovery potential are assessed. Based on empirical data, strategic priorities for the sector’s recovery are formulated, including the reconstruction of cultural and historical sites, the creation of integrated regional value chains, the implementation of digital technologies, the development of domestic tourism routes, and the attraction of international financing. The study emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive geo-economic approach that enables the assessment not only of economic indicators but also of socio-cultural and territorial factors influencing the development of cultural tourism. The potential of cultural tourism as a mechanism for economic stabilization, the formation of Ukraine’s international subjectivity, and the enhancement of regional competitiveness in the global tourism space is revealed. Within the framework of the research, an index-based model of geo-economic recovery of cultural tourism is proposed, aimed at the comprehensive assessment of regional development potential under conditions of wartime and post-crisis transformations. The model is based on the integration of economic, spatial and infrastructural, socio-cultural, institutional, and securit and risk indicators combined into thematic blocks. The index approach allows heterogeneous parameters to be aggregated into a single composite indicator and ensures comparability among regions with different initial conditions. The proposed model is adaptive to changes in the external environment and suitable for monitoring the dynamics of cultural tourism recovery. Its application provides an analytical basis for substantiating strategic priorities of state and regional policies in the development of the sector.The practical significance of the study lies in its evidence-based proposals for cultural tourism recovery strategies, which can be used by public authorities, tourism agencies, and international institutions to plan and implement effective recovery programmes.
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