Imperatives for the development of the tourist sphere in Ukraine under the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. Providing one tenth of the world's gross national product, tourism, despite the obstacles, is fully recognized as one of the most profitable and dynamic sectors of the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has gained enormous proportions and affected the tourism industry in a way that no crisis has affected before, causing significant problems for the development of the world and national economies in particular. The purpose of the study is to analyze trends in tourism in Ukraine and the world in the COVID-19 pandemic, identify promising areas of development and systematize measures implemented by Ukraine and other countries to stimulate and support the tourism industry. Results. The percentage change in international tourist arrivals by region in 2020 has been studied. It has been established that the global tourism industry has suffered losses from the pandemic of about $ 22 billion, or more than 20 billion euros. At the same time, the losses of the tourism industry in Ukraine are estimated as more than 1.5 billion US dollars in 2020. The World Tourism Organization has developed its own recommendations for mitigating the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on tourism in different countries. The state of tourism development in Ukraine in the period 2019-2021 and the beginning of 2022 is studied. Measures of Ukraine in the legal aspect aimed at minimizing the negative impact of quarantine restrictions on all spheres of socio-economic activity are substantiated. The stages of tourism development in Ukraine in the context of overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic are identified. Conclusions. It has been established that one of the industries that has suffered the most and suffered significant financial and economic consequences during the COVID-19 pandemic is the tourism industry. Today, the tourism industry is undergoing major transformations, requiring a qualitative and thorough analysis of the factors influencing demand in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries are beginning to refocus on stimulating the development of domestic tourism, promoting the accelerated introduction of online forms and digital tools in the provision of tourist services. Keywords: tourism, tourism sphere, tourism product (service), tourism market, foreign and domestic tourism, COVID-19 pandemic, tourism crisis, quarantine restrictions.