TOURISM POTENTIAL OF UKRAINIAN CITIES DURING WARTIME: AN APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING KEY DESTINATIONS

Abstract

Introduction. Tourism is a significant driver of the socio-economic development of cities and an important instrument of state regional policy. The armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has substantially affected the development of the tourism industry, restricting tourist activity in the frontline, temporarily occupied, and adjacent territories. Under wartime conditions, there is a growing need to identify cities that retain tourism potential, are relatively safe for visitors, and are important for sustaining and developing both national and local economies.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify the key cities of Ukraine that constitute major centres of tourist attractiveness, form the core of the country's tourism potential, and contribute to local budget revenues under wartime conditions.

Materials and methods. The research materials comprise: 1) analytical reports, studies, and statistics of international tourism organisations; 2) regulatory acts, codifiers, and registers of Ukraine; 3) interactive information resources of Ukrainian public authorities on statistical indicators of the tourism industry; 4) scholarly works examining the theoretical foundations of tourism.

In the study, the following scientific methods were applied: theoretical analysis, generalisation and grouping, analysis and synthesis, comparative analysis, induction, statistical analysis, ranking, territorial analysis, and geospatial visualisation.

Results. Global tourism trends were analysed, and it was established that in 2025 international tourism indicators exceeded pre-pandemic levels, confirming the full recovery of the industry.

Tax revenues to the Ukrainian budget in 2025 from businesses engaged in tourism-related activities were examined across regions. It was determined that, despite wartime conditions, the tourism industry of Ukraine not only continues to operate but also demonstrates growth in the volume of tourist activity and revenue indicators to both state and local budgets.

At the same time, tourist activity remains uneven: due to the security situation, regions with frontline, temporarily occupied, or adjacent territories are significantly restricted in their capacity to conduct tourist activity.

The numerical composition of cities by first-level administrative-territorial units in Ukraine was determined. Taking into account the security context, 280 cities were identified from the total of 463 Ukrainian cities – those not located in active combat zones, not in proximity to such territories, frontline or temporarily occupied areas, relatively safe for tourism, and where, given adequate infrastructure, tourist activity is feasible.

The State Register of Immovable Monuments was reviewed, and a distribution of nationally significant monuments across Ukrainian cities was compiled to form a list of key cities for tourism development under wartime conditions.

Based on the research findings and tourism potential – assessed through the presence of key tourist attractions (UNESCO World Heritage sites, nationally significant monuments, recreational areas, etc.) – 57 key cities of Ukraine were identified as playing an important role in the development of the tourism industry under wartime conditions.

Discussion. Further research on tourism development in Ukrainian cities should focus on the communication tools employed by local self-government bodies to engage with tourists regarding the tourist attractiveness of cities and the formation and development of city tourism brands.