Sustainable development of green tourism routes: international standards, barriers and institutional solutions for Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the study is to substantiate the methodology for developing green tourism routes based on international sustainability standards and to identify institutional mechanisms for their adaptation and implementation in Ukraine in the context of regional transformations and post-war recovery. The research integrates environmental, social and economic sustainability parameters with spatial planning and tourism route management practices.

The study applies systematic and structural-functional analysis, comparative analysis of international sustainability standards (GSTC, UNEP, UNWTO), content analysis of scientific literature and analytical generalization. Approaches to assessing recreational carrying capacity, elements of GIS analysis and digital monitoring tools were used to diagnose the development conditions of green tourism routes.

The research systematizes the evolution of the green tourism concept and identifies key principles of sustainable route development: conservation of natural resources, community participation, economic viability, certification and adaptive management. The study identifies four main groups of barriers to the development of green tourism in Ukraine: institutional barriers (fragmented coordination), financial barriers (limited access to investment and grants), infrastructural limitations, and data and monitoring constraints. A conceptual model of a regional coordinating platform is proposed, including functional modules for route and service standardization, digital analytics of tourist flows, intersectoral coordination and sustainable financial mechanisms.

The conclusions emphasize the need to move from declarative environmental approaches to evidence-based management of tourism routes. The adaptation of Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria through regional coordination platforms can strengthen destination competitiveness, preserve natural capital and ensure long-term socio-economic sustainability of local communities in Ukraine.