THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of writing this article is to analyze and assess the impact of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 on the activities of the tourism industry in Ukraine in general and by region. The article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of travel agencies and tour operators in Ukraine and found that the number of tour operators and travel agents in Ukraine in 2020 compared to 2019 decreased by 12.9%. In terms of oblasts, the most noticeable decrease took place in Chernivtsi oblast - by almost 28%. But it should be noted that in some areas the reduction in the number of tour operators and travel agents has not occurred, and in some their number has even increased. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of tourists served by tour operators and travel agents were considered and it was found that their total number has more than halved, by 61.5%. Moreover, the most noticeable decrease in tourists served by tour operators and travel agents occurred in the number of incoming (foreign) tourists - by 86.2%. The situation is better with outbound and domestic tourists: their number decreased by 61.5% and 57.2%, respectively. Estimation of the data on the number of tourists served by tour operators and travel agents who traveled for different purposes, found that the largest number of tourists travel for leisure and recreation, despite the overall decrease in the number of tourists. The study revealed that in Ukraine in 2020 compared to 2019 there is a significant decrease in tourist flows, especially foreign, the indicators of which were previously low. This situation has led to a decrease in the number of tour operators and travel agents serving tourists in the market of tourist services. The directions of work that may be favorable for the exit of the tourism industry of Ukraine from the crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19 were outlined. First, the support of domestic tourism will not allow the decline of tourism in Ukraine in general and will provide a profit for both tourism enterprises and the economy of Ukraine. Secondly, it is necessary to create a balance between the price and quality of tourist services in Ukraine, which will be available to the local population and generate income, which will play an important role in the development of the tourism industry of Ukraine. Thirdly, a special place in the development of tourism today is the observance of sanitary and hygienic conditions and the possibility of less contact between tourists, which will attract the attention of tourists who are wary of the spread of infections. Fourth, in today's conditions it is necessary to actively implement Internet technologies for the dissemination of advertising information, which will contribute to greater awareness of tourists about travel services in quarantine.