ECOTOURISM IN UKRAINE: DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES IN PERIOD OF MARTIAL LAW

Main Article Content

Oleksiy SKIDANOV

Abstract

Introduction. The essence and specifics of ecotourism in theory and practice are not sufficiently disclosed. The study of ecotourism is especially relevant for Ukraine, due to its natural resource and tourism potential. Despite the security threats of the war, the current situation creates new opportunities for the development of ecotourism in Ukraine. In this regard, it is necessary to scientifically substantiate the possibilities of the ecotourism development in the conditions of martial law, taking into account regional characteristics and priorities of state support.


Purpose. The purpose of the article is to determine the essence of ecotourism and justify the priorities of its development in Ukraine in the context of war challenges.


Results. Theoretical discussions regarding the essence and specifics of ecotourism are developed. The components of the formation of the ecotourism product, signs and types of ecotourism activity are specified. The main trends in the development of ecotourism in Ukraine in the pre-war period are highlighted. The security challenges of the development of ecotourism in Ukraine are indicated. The priority directions for the development of ecotourism in Ukraine for tourist companies and state authorities are proposed.


Originality. Schematization of the ecotourism essence is carried out. This includes the identification of the components of the formation of ecotourism product, signs of ecotourism activity, the division of types of ecotourism activity into «net» and «hybrid», which made it possible to substantiate the specificity of ecotourism among other types of tourism. Based on the analysis of trends in the ecotourism development in Ukraine and considering the impact of security threats, priorities for the development of this area with new opportunities for differentiation of activities for tourism companies are proposed.


Conclusion. The development of ecotourism in Ukraine in the conditions of martial law and restrictions on international mobility allows to differentiate the directions of tourist activity for its preservation in conditions of uncertainty, to develop the social responsibility of the tourist companies through the offer of settlement services for internally displaced persons, special recreation and rehabilitation services for participants in hostilities, others vulnerable social groups. Priorities of state support for ecotourism in Ukraine should be determined depending on the security status of the region and taken into account during the implementation of the Recovery Plan of Ukraine in terms of rebuilding a clean and protected environment.

Article Details

Section
Статті

References

UNWTO (2021). Ecotourism and Protected Areas. Retrieved from https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development/ecotourism-and-protected-areas (Accessed: 13.04.2022).

Global Ecotourism Network (2021). Definition and Key Concepts. Retrieved from https://www.globalecotourismnetwork.org/definition-and-key-concepts/ (Accessed: 13.04.2022).

The International Ecotourism Society (2021). What Is Ecotourism? Retrieved from https://ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism/ (Accessed: 13.04.2022).

Buesgens, L. (2013). Environmental Interpretation’s Role in Ecotourism. University of Wisconsin: International Resource Management.

UNWTO (2021). Sustainable Development. Retrieved from https://www.unwto.org/sustainable-development (Accessed: 13.04.2022).

Korobeinykova, Y. S. (2013). Ecological problems of the territories of tourist destinations. Environmental safety and balanced resource use, 1, 91-94. (in Ukr.).

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1995). About tourism. Law of Ukraine 15.09.1995 №324/95-ВР. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/324/95-%D0%B2%D1%80#Text (Accessed: 12.04.2022).

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1992). About the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine. Law of Ukraine 16.06.1992 №2456-XII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2456-12#Text (Accessed: 12.04.2022).

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (1991). About environmental protection. Law of Ukraine 25.06.1991 №1264-XII. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1264-12#Text (Accessed: 12.04.2022).

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2021). Draft Law on rural and rural green tourism 05.03.2021 №5206. Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1264-12#Text (Accessed: 14.04.2022).

Moskviak, Ya. Ye. (2022). Current state and prospects for the development of ecological tourism in the Carpathian region of Ukraine. Bulletin of the Khmelnytskyi National University, 2(1), 184-188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31891/2307-5740-2022-304-2(1)-26 (in Ukr.).

Kozlovskyi, O. Yu., & Dunaievska, O. F. (2013). Ecological and green tourism: definition, features, state of development in Zhytomyr region. Geography and tourism, 25, 151-160. (in Ukr.).

Novytska, S. R. (2013). Ecological tourism as a priority direction of sustainable development of the tourism sphere. Scientific notes of Ternopil National Pedagogical University named after Volodymyr Hnatyuk. Ser.: Geography, 2, 164-169. (in Ukr.).

Davydenko, I. V. (2017). Glamping as a promising form of ecotourism development. Scientific Bulletin of the International Humanitarian University. Series: Economics and management, 26(1), 10-13. (in Ukr.).

Karpiuk, F. V. (2013). Current state, problems and prospects of ecotourism development in the Transcarpathian region. UzhNU Scientific Bulletin Series: Geography. Land management Nature use, 2. Retrieved from https://dspace.uzhnu.edu.ua/jspui/handle/lib/1894 (Accessed: 19.04.2022).

Ukrainian Rural Green Tourism Union (2021). The updated Program of voluntary categorization in the field of rural green tourism «Ukrainian Hospitality Estate». Retrieved from https://www.greentour.com.ua/posluga/programm_kategory (Accessed: 19.04.2022).

Ukrainian nature protection group (2021). Forty-four percent of the most valuable natural territories of Ukraine are covered by war: join the initiative «saving nature in the days of war together». Retrieved from https://uncg.org.ua/44-najtsinnishykh-pryrodnykh-terytorij-ukrainy-okhopleni-vijnoiu-doluchajtesia-do-initsiatyvy-riatuiemo-pryrodu-u-dni-vijny-razom/ (Accessed: 19.04.2022).

Recovery of Ukraine (2021). Projects of the national program Reconstruction of a clean and protected environment. Retrieved from https://recovery.gov.ua/project/program/re-build-clean-and-safe-environment (Accessed: 20.04.2022).

World Ecotourism Summit. Quebec City, Canada, 19-22 May 2002. Final Report. World Tourism Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. Madrid, Spain, 2002. Retrieved from https://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/Final-Report-WES-Eng.pdf (Accessed: 12.04.2022).