Current socio-ecological-economic and legal problems of implementing the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathians region

Abstract

Given the challenges of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, climate change, Ukraine's European integration process, and the need to preserve natural and cultural heritage, there is a need for a comprehensive socio-ecological-economic and legal study aimed at implementing the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathians region. Balanced and rational use of tourism and recreation potential in order to activate the sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathians region is determined by a set of prerequisites and factors that create the basis for their comprehensive scientific analysis. The purpose of this study is to analyze and develop socio-ecological-economic and legal recommendations for the implementation of the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathians region. The implementation of the set goal necessitated the solution of a number of tasks. Attention is drawn to the importance of the Ukrainian Carpathian region in the formation of the country's tourism and recreation potential. The current social, environmental, economic and legal problems that arise when implementing the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathian region are considered. It was emphasized that the unique natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian Carpathians region create favorable conditions for the development of tourism and recreation. It is substantiated that serious problems with the practical implementation of the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation in the Ukrainian Carpathians region are caused by active development of the territory, increased tourist flows, unsystematic development, environmental violations, and social challenges of local communities. It was found that the presence of a number of state and regional programs for the development of tourism and recreation is insufficient for the integration of the principles of sustainable development. It was found that the inconsistency between economic interests and environmental restrictions, the lack of effective control over compliance with environmental legislation, as well as the low level of involvement of the local population in planning the development of tourism and recreation in the studied region leads to the emergence of a complex set of socio-ecological-economic and legal problems. It is noted that in the second half of the 20th - early 21st centuries, an intensive growth in tourist flows was observed in the Ukrainian Carpathians region, which led to an increase in anthropogenic pressure on natural ecosystems and contributed to their gradual degradation. It is substantiated that it is relevant to identify factors that hinder the implementation of the concept of sustainable development of tourism and recreation. Economic and legal shortcomings in the field of tourism and recreation, as well as models of social expectations, economic benefits, environmental feasibility, etc. are analyzed. It was determined that the results of the socio-ecological-economic and legal research should become a scientific basis for the formation of conceptual principles for the sustainable development of tourism and recreation within the studied region. It is proposed to develop a regional strategy for the sustainable development of tourism and recreation, as well as actively involve local communities in the planning processes for the development of tourism and recreation in the region, etc.