EUROPEAN TOURISM MARKET: GEOSPATIAL AND TYPOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS

Abstract

In the current context of global transformations, tourism plays a key role as a marker of social resilience and a catalyst for regional development. The relevance of this research is driven by the consequences of the pandemic crisis, the military conflict in Europe, and the need to transform the tourism sector towards sustainable and digital development. The main objective of the study is to identify the structural and dynamic parameters of the functioning of the European tourism market in the post-crisis period, with a particular focus on Ukraine’s integration potential. The methodological framework of the study includes the application of typological classification, spatial-geographical analysis, and cluster methods, which enabled the characterization of macro-regional tourism patterns across Europe. Five dominant types of tourism macro-regions are identified: cultural-historical, beach-recreational, mountain-ski, wellness, and business tourism. European countries are systematized by their tourism specialization profiles, seasonality, infrastructure levels, and degree of economic dependence on tourism revenues. A comprehensive typology of the European tourism space is proposed based on five key criteria. The novelty of the research lies in the synthesis of spatial, functional, and strategic approaches to the analysis of the transformation processes in the European tourism market. Key trends are identified, including the growing importance of domestic tourism, the spread of environmentally sustainable practices, and the rise of digital innovations. The study also highlights leading countries in terms of tourism revenues, inbound flows, and tourism’s contribution to GDP and employment (up to 9.5% of GDP and over 22 million jobs). The findings possess significant scientific and practical value for the development of effective tourism policies in Ukraine. The article integrates theoretical analysis with empirical data, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the study and its relevance to current challenges in the tourism sector’s development.