MANAGEMENT OF TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN BORDER AREAS AND COMMUNITIES OF UKRAINE THROUGH THE PRISM OF SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Research on the development of tourism activities in border regions, specifically in the Ukrainian-Polish cross-border region, reveals a number of important problems related to management and the organization of cross-border cooperation in activating tourism activities. One of the main issues is the insufficient qualification of local authorities in project management for tourism, which limits the ability of communities to effectively develop and submit competitive projects. The lack of proper coordination between different levels of government and stakeholders leads to poor communication, which, in turn, slows down development. Despite the existence of programs such as the Interreg NEXT Poland–Ukraine 2021-2027 Program, the problem of ineffective use of financial opportunities and weak participation of local entrepreneurs in submitting applications for grants and competitions remains relevant. Additionally, the absence of agreed-upon strategic goals for tourism development at the local level complicates the implementation of sustainable development in the territories. Given the specific nature of border regions, finding effective mechanisms for cooperation between states, developing joint initiatives, and attracting investments, particularly in the tourism sector, that align with the principles of sustainable development, is crucial. Issues related to this field are traditionally studied within the context of regional economics, but in the future, the competitiveness of communities will also be determined by their ecological sustainability, environmental friendliness, and so on. The issue of applying effective management methods for border regions remains relevant, especially in the context of decentralization and sustainable territorial development. The aim of this article is to identify problems in tourism management in border areas and suggest ways to overcome them. The authors focus on analyzing the experience of border communities, developing proposals for coordinating efforts between stakeholders in the management process, and promoting sustainable territorial development. They also propose solutions to overcome the problem of insufficient qualification of local authorities in project management, which limits the ability to secure funding for tourism projects, by involving third parties in both coordination and consulting activities. The latter would effectively assist in expanding financial opportunities for local entrepreneurs, enabling them to actively participate in grants and competitions.