Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism in Ukraine: problems and solutions

Abstract

The results of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism in Ukraine are reviewed in the article. Restrictions of state borders crossing dealt the most damage for tourist companies aimed at foreign market, by reducing the outgoing flow of tourists. It is stated that internal tourist market was in crisis state even before the pandemic which was mainly caused by insufficient and outdated infrastructure, tourist market being mostly in shadow, low quality transport, etc. New opportunities that Covid-19 pandemic might open for Ukrainian tourism are highlighted in the article, such as: development of countryside tourism, modernization of available touristic infrastructure within state programs, use of online education, productional and pre-graduate student practice for free advertising of recreational locations. Objective of this article is the complex analysis of Covid-19 pandemic influence on the development of tourism in Ukraine, definition of main dangers and opportunities for tourism industry and formulating strategic priorities for activation of domestic tourism. The article uses common scientific research methods, such as: synthesis analysis; statistical analysis and comparison while exploring trends of tourism development in Ukraine during Covid-19 pandemic; generalization - while developing recommendations for inner tourism and infrastructure activation. Four priority targets of tourism development in Ukraine have been proposed: 1) development of hospitality infrastructure in seashore and Carpathian region by using state investment, discount loans provided by state banks within "Build your own" program for small business, development of state-private partnership; 2) development of countryside tourism by crowdfunding and state-private partnership; 3) restoration of historical and architectural sights by state programs like "Great Construction"; 4) use of online education and student practice for free advertising of touristic locations.