Current State and Features of Tourism Development in Czechia

Abstract

Tourism is a significant contributor to the social and economic growth of countries and regions. As such, developing tourism is a crucial element in enhancing a country's economic efficiency. In Europe, the Czech Republic stands as one of the most alluring and well-established countries. Thanks to its abundant natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources, it has fostered a fiercely competitive tourism industry. The commonness of historical, natural, social, and economic developmental conditions between Czechia and Ukraine establishes similar prerequisites for tourism development. An analysis of Czech tourism development, including identification of the country's tourism traits and trends, enables the adoption of Czech tourism organization experience and practical application in Ukraine. The present article examines the current state of tourism development in Czechia. The analyses the development of the tourist infrastructure in the country. It examines the dynamics of the collective means of tourist accommodation in the Czech Republic. The analysis focuses on the dynamics of tourist arrivals to the Czech Republic, characterizing the structure of tourist flows. The geospatial features of tourist flows are considered, and the dynamics of the volume of income from foreign tourism are analysed. Tourism plays a significant role in the economics of the Czech Republic. The contribution of tourism to the country's GDP remains below its pre-COVID-19 levels. However, in 2022, the tourism industry of the country started to recuperate from the pandemic. As compared to 2021, the number of tourists escalated by 8 million in 2022. Majority of the tourists arrived in the Czech Republic for recreational and cultural purposes, as well as to meet their relatives and for business agendas. The Czech Republic received the majority of its foreign tourists from Germany, Slovakia, and Poland. The domestic tourist share in the country's overall tourist flow is 62,3 %, while the foreign tourist share is 37,7 %. The country is currently investing significantly in transport infrastructure by modernizing its railway network and expanding the capacity of its airports. The provision and standard of accommodation play a vital role in the appeal of tourist destinations, and the Czech Republic has seen a consistent rise in the quantity of lodging options. An appreciable increase in the number of shared lodging facilities was observed in the Czech Republic over the period of 2020–2022. South Bohemian, Hradec Královе and South Moravian regions boast the highest number of accommodation facilities, while Pardubice and Vysočina regions have the lowest. The city of Prague, along with South Bohemian and South Moravian regions, is home to the largest number of rooms in collective accommodation facilities. The Czech Republic boasts a thriving restaurant industry that has seen a steady increase in the number of establishments. The country's tourism is characterized by uneven geographic distribution. Notably, the largest number of tourist arrivals are recorded in Prague, South Moravian, Hradec Královе, and South Bohemian regions. According to the analysis, the regions adjacent to Prague also exhibited a significant appeal to tourists. This trend might be clarified by tourists who visit Prague tend to extend their routes to neighbouring regions, particularly in Central Bohemian, Liberec, and Hradec Královе regions. Conversely, regions situated far from the capital draw a substantial number of visitors. This could suggest the existence of exceptional tourism services that entice travellers. The Czech Republic has high tourism densities, with Prague having the highest observed density due to the influx of tourists into a relatively small area. Karlovy Vary, Liberec, and Hradec Královе regions also have high tourism densities. In 2022, foreign tourism generated revenues of 1 billion USD for the country. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, foreign tourism revenues decreased by 62,5 % in 2020. The Czech Republic is known for its conventional health and wellness, cultural and educational tourism. Keywords: tourism, tourist arrivals, collective accommodation, tourists, Czechia.