THE ROLE OF MARINAS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT SECTOR: INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PROSPECTS FOR UKRAINE
Abstract
This article examines the role of marinas in the development of the hotel and restaurant sector in the context of modernising coastal infrastructure, boosting tourist flows and enhancing the competitiveness of the hospitality industry. It is argued that modern marinas should be viewed not merely as facilities for the mooring and servicing of yachts and small vessels, but as multifunctional infrastructure complexes capable of generating sustained demand for accommodation, catering, leisure and ancillary services. The main mechanisms through which they influence the development of the hotel and restaurant sector have been identified, namely by stimulating investment activity, expanding tourism infrastructure, increasing employment levels and creating new centres of economic growth. The authors propose a methodological approach to the comprehensive assessment of the impact of marinas on the development of the hotel and restaurant sector, which is based on the use of the Hospitality Marina Index (HMI) and takes into account tourist demand, the level of development of hotel and restaurant infrastructure, yachting capacity, transport accessibility, geographical and visual appeal, the recreational environment, event activity, as well as digitalisation and the principles of sustainable development. Based on the proposed methodology, a comprehensive ranking of the world’s leading marinas has been compiled, enabling the identification of key factors in their competitiveness and an assessment of their impact on the operations of hospitality businesses. As part of the study, an integrated assessment system comprising nine functional blocks and based on a 100-point scale was developed, and a comparative analysis of 20 of the world’s leading marinas was carried out. Based on the study’s findings, a comprehensive ranking was compiled, enabling the identification of the most significant infrastructure and service factors that determine the impact of marinas on the development of the hotel and restaurant sector. In addition, 13 promising locations in Ukraine were identified for the creation and development of sea and river marinas, strategic directions for their modernisation were substantiated, and practical recommendations were proposed on utilising international experience to enhance the competitiveness of the hospitality sector, attract investment and ensure the sustainable socio-economic development of coastal and riverine areas.
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