АNALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE OF THE BARRIER-FREE TOURIST ENVIRONMENT OF UKRAINE

Abstract. Іnvestigate the current state of the barrier-free tourism environment of Ukraine using SWOT analysis. To determine the prospects for the development of barrier-free tourism in Ukraine in modern conditions. Method. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research was the provisions of the theory of tourism, analytical and theoretical studies of foreign and Ukrainian scientists in the field of introduction and development of barrier-free tourism. To achieve the goal, a range of general scientific and special methods of analysis and synthesis were used, SWOT analysis was used, which allowed to identify external and internal challenges, potential opportunities and threats to the development of a barrier-free environment of Ukraine were investigated. The results. The study analyzed the main factors affecting the barrier-free tourist environment, revealed a number of problems related to the accessibility of tourist facilities for people who need barrier-free access and the lack of a general comprehensive approach to solving challenges that must be solved at the state level, regional local authorities and entrepreneurs in the field of tourism. The main priority directions for creating a barrier-free environment in tourism for people with disabilities, taking into account the conditions of electricity shortage and war, are proposed. Scientific novelty. It is proposed to introduce the term "people in need of barrier-free access", which covers not only people with disabilities, but also expands the range of people to whom the need for barrier-free access extends, in particular, the elderly, pregnant women, people accompanying a person with a disability, etc. Practical significance. The study offers an integrated approach to solving the problem of implementing integrated accessibility of a barrier-free tourist environment with an emphasis on the strengths and opportunities of a barrier-free tourist environment.