Development of innovative clusters in Ukraine's tourism industry: experiences and prospects

Introduction. Following the onset of full-scale war in Ukraine, the tourism industry experienced a significant decline. This has increased the relevance of the cluster-based approach as a tool for local recovery, business adaptation, and innovation integration. Purpose. This study aims to examine the transformational processes in the development of innovative clusters in Ukraine’s tourism sector during 2019–2025, taking into account external shocks—primarily the war—and to assess their potential as instruments for sustainable regional recovery. Methodology. The research applies systematization of empirical data from the past five years, a comparative-historical approach to juxtapose the pre-war and wartime stages of clusterization, and a case study method focusing on Lviv region, the Danube region, and Kyiv. Results. The author analyzes key documents in state tourism policy, including the State Target Program for Tourism and Resorts Development and strategic documents issued by the State Agency for Tourism Development (2020–2023). The findings reveal that, despite the loss of international tourism, innovative tourism clusters in wartime have revitalized domestic tourism through digitalization, local network-based self-organization, and access to international grant support. Notable examples include the Danube Tourism Cluster, the Lviv Tourism Cluster, and synergistic practices in Kyiv based on partnerships among NGOs, small businesses, and local authorities. The study identifies critical factors of cluster resilience under uncertainty, such as digital infrastructure, localized governance, and integration with the humanitarian domain (e.g., volunteering, cultural diplomacy). Practical significance. The results may inform the actions of local governments, relevant ministries, and tourism business associations in designing policies to support resilient tourism clusters—particularly in the context of post-war reconstruction, international technical assistance programs, and intermunicipal cooperation.