MANAGEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE AIRPORT CITY CONCEPT

The article explores the management mechanisms of sustainable development in the hospitality industry through the lens of the Airport City concept, which integrates transportation, logistics, and service infrastructures into a unified economic ecosystem. The study highlights how aviation hubs function not only as transport nodes but also as powerful catalysts for the transformation of hospitality and tourism sectors, creating new models of regional competitiveness and spatial development. The research subject encompasses the interrelation between airport-centered logistics systems and the management of the HoReCa sector under conditions of growing global mobility. The methodological foundation of the research is based on a system approach and principles of strategic and sustainable management. Comparative and structural analyses were applied to examine the dynamics of hospitality development in European airport hubs such as Vienna, Frankfurt, Warsaw, and Budapest. The study also used statistical data from the Vienna Airport Group, ACI Europe, and national tourism authorities to evaluate investment trends, hotel performance indicators, and the efficiency of integrated logistics systems. The research combines theoretical synthesis with case-based analysis, focusing on the Airport City Vienna as a benchmark of effective integration between transport and hospitality infrastructures. The purpose of the study is to identify the managerial patterns and economic factors that determine the sustainability of hospitality development in regions with active airport-based economies. The research aims to reveal how the synergy between air transport, urban logistics, and service industries influences hotel performance, investment attractiveness, and the diversification of hospitality services. The findings indicate that airport cities represent a new model of territorial management where hospitality enterprises become integral elements of the transport and logistics chain. The analysis of Airport City Vienna demonstrates that the expansion of passenger flows and transport accessibility directly correlates with the growth of hotel occupancy, average daily rates, and investment volumes. Effective management of sustainable development in this context relies on integrated strategies combining public–private partnerships, digital transformation, ESG principles, and innovations in smart logistics. In conclusion, the study substantiates that the Airport City model can serve as a framework for managing the sustainable evolution of the hospitality industry. This framework enhances operational efficiency, supports green transition objectives, and strengthens the economic and social resilience of regions integrated into global air transport networks.