SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION OF TOURIST TRAFFIC IN THE REGIONS OF UKRAINE

In this study, Oksana Kharchenko examines the theoretical and methodological foundations of the spatial differentiation of tourist flows in the regions of Ukraine and substantiates approaches to improving regional tourism development through effective management mechanisms. The purpose of the research is to investigate the nature of spatial differentiation in the tourism services market, analyze regional disparities in tourist flows, and develop a mechanism for the effective management of tourism activities aimed at reducing regional imbalances. The research is based on a combination of theoretical generalization, comparative analysis, systematization, and statistical analysis of tourist flows in Ukraine during 2000 – 2019. The study identifies the main factors determining the uneven spatial distribution of tourism development, including differences in natural and recreational resources, climatic conditions, cultural and historical heritage, transport and tourism infrastructure, and the distribution of recreational assets. The concept of spatial differentiation is generalized and defined as the uneven development of the tourism services market caused by objective territorial disparities. The analysis demonstrates that only approximately 20% of Ukraine’s regions constitute the tourism “core,” while the remaining regions form the peripheral tourism space, indicating a high degree of regional imbalance. Based on these findings, Oksana Kharchenko proposes a mechanism for the effective management of tourism activities in the regions of Ukraine. The mechanism incorporates strategic priorities, management principles, institutional, socio-economic, and integration vectors, as well as measures for anti-crisis management, innovation-driven tourism development, adaptation to European standards, and a monitoring system for implementation. The practical application of the proposed mechanism is expected to reduce spatial disparities in regional tourism development, strengthen the competitiveness of regional tourism markets, improve the quality of tourist flows, and support the sustainable development of the tourism sector in Ukraine.