THE ROLE OF STATE POLICY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN UKRAINE: ANALYSIS OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND ITS IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

The article examines the role of state policy in the development of the tourism industry in Ukraine, in particular, by analyzing the current regulatory framework and state standards and identifying areas for their improvement. Tourism is an important sector of the national economy that contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the country’s international image. However, the effective development of the industry requires a modern, comprehensive and well-coordinated government policy that takes into account current challenges, including globalization, digitalization and growing international competition. It is determined that the current legislation is fragmented, often contains outdated provisions that do not meet the current needs of the market, and does not ensure an adequate level of coordination between different levels of government. The article identifies a number of key problems in the field of legal regulation of tourism, in particular, the lack of integration with European standards, failure to take into account new forms of tourism, insufficient attention to security and adaptation to crisis situations. The lack of modern mechanisms to support the industry, particularly in the context of hostilities and the COVID-19 pandemic, limits the ability of the tourism industry to adapt to changes and develop. It is proposed to modernize legislation in line with international standards and to develop an integrated tourism development strategy that includes clear mechanisms for implementation, financing, and monitoring. Special attention should be paid to the development of innovations in the tourism sector, support for new activities such as ecotourism and digital tourism services, as well as improving licensing procedures and simplifying conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises. The conclusions of the article emphasize the need for a systematic approach to the state regulation of the tourism industry, which involves harmonization of national legislation with European standards, development of interagency coordination, attraction of international investments, and active promotion of Ukraine’s tourism potential on the world stage. The implementation of the proposed measures will help to increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian tourism, its resilience to modern challenges, and ensure the sustainable development of the industry in the long term.