Impact of European integration processes on the development of tourism potential in Ukraine

The study aimed to measure the impact of European integration on the recovery and modernisation of tourism in Ukraine. The methodology included an analysis of statistical data on tax revenues from the tourism sector for the period 2021 to 2024, a summary of EU grant programmes (Interreg, Creative Europe, EU4Culture) and the study of official support programmes in the western (Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia, Ternopil) and central (Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr) regions of Ukraine. The results showed that in the pre-war period from 2014 to 2021, European integration contributed to the harmonisation of standards and the attraction of investment, while after 2022 the focus shifted to preserving and restoring the industry. EU programmes combine infrastructure projects and cultural initiatives, providing stability and prospects. Tax revenues fell sharply in 2022 (UAH 1,551 million) but rose to UAH 2,938 million in 2024, with a structural strengthening of the hotel sector. State support in 2024 and 2025 became a key factor in preserving infrastructure: most funding is concentrated in the Lviv and Zakarpattia regions, while the Kyiv, Vinnytsia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions received moderate support with moderate results, and the Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and Ternopil regions are characterised by limited development opportunities. This has created a disproportionate development model, with some regions forming sustainable tourism clusters, while others remain dependent on additional support mechanisms. Scenario analysis has shown that the most likely scenario is a realistic one involving medium levels of funding and the implementation of cross-border and cultural projects. The results prove that the tourism sector remains stable thanks to international support, state funding and domestic demand, and the practical significance lies in identifying mechanisms that can be used to restore tourism infrastructure and increase its competitiveness in Ukraine