METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO MANAGING RESOURCE PROVISION IN THE TOURISM THROUGH PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS: THE CASE OF UKRAINE AND THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN REGION

Abstract

The tourism sector represents a strategically important component of the socio-economic development of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, contributing to employment, regional cohesion, heritage preservation, and international cultural exchange. However, contemporary challenges – including geopolitical instability, global economic fluctuations, and post-pandemic restructuring – have intensified competition for financial, human, infrastructural, and cultural resources in the tourism industry. These pressures are especially evident in Ukraine, where the consequences of war have significantly disrupted tourism infrastructure, investment flows, and destination management. Against this background, public-private partnerships (PPPs) have gained increasing recognition as a mechanism capable of mobilising additional resources, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting long-term resilience in the tourism sector. The purpose of this study is to develop a methodological framework for assessing and managing resource provision in the tourism sector through PPPs, with a comparative focus on Ukraine and selected CEE countries (Poland, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia). The research applies a mixed-method approach, combining statistical data analysis (Eurostat, OECD, WTTC, DESI) with expert evaluation to construct an Integrated Resource Effectiveness Index (IRET). The index incorporates five key resource dimensions: financial, infrastructural, human, innovation and digital, and natural-cultural. The comparative assessment demonstrates a clear regional differentiation: Poland and Czechia exhibit strong institutional systems for PPP implementation and high levels of tourism resource efficiency, while Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, and Slovakia show moderate but stable performance supported by digital transformation and targeted public investment. Ukraine, by contrast, remains at a transitional stage, with emerging but uneven PPP development, constrained financing, and limited integration of digital destination management tools. The findings emphasise that strengthening PPP frameworks can play a pivotal role in rebuilding tourism infrastructure, diversifying investment sources, and enabling sustainable resource utilisation in Ukraine. The study contributes to the academic literature by offering a comprehensive resource-based evaluation model that captures both quantitative performance indicators and institutional governance factors. Practically, the research provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, including the development of regional PPP support centres, blended-finance instruments, and digital platforms for monitoring tourism resource management. These strategic measures can support Ukraine’s medium-term transition toward a more resilient and competitive tourism system within the broader CEE context.