DYNAMICS OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISM IN LEADING TOURIST COUNTRIES OF THE EU: IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

Abstract

The article examines trends in the development of international tourism in the leading EU countries, selected through cluster analysis. The focus is on key factors that influence both the economic development of countries and their socio-economic development: tourist arrivals, tourism expenditures, and GDP per capita. Special attention is given to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war on the tourism sector and the economies of these countries. The purpose of the research is to identify and analyze the factors contributing to the competitiveness of leading EU countries in the global tourism industry. The study employs quantitative analysis, using statistical data on tourism indicators from Eurostat and the World Tourism Organization. The analysis is carried out through time series analysis to explore patterns and relationships between variables like GDP per capita, number of international tourists, and tourism revenue. The findings indicate that the countries with well-developed tourism infrastructure, high levels of investment in promotion, and favorable economic conditions tend to dominate the international tourism industry. The analyzed countries have demonstrated significant recovery of tourism following major crises, such as the economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and Russian-Ukrainian war. Despite the severe impact of these events, which led to substantial declines in tourist arrivals and revenue, leading EU nations have shown resilience in regaining their position in the global tourism market. The practical implications suggest that countries should continuously adapt their tourism strategies to maintain or improve their global rankings and address emerging trends and competition. The study concludes that sustainable tourism development, combined with the expansion of accommodation facilities and improvement of service quality, will be crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of EU countries in the global tourism industry which will contribute to economic development and socio-economic development of countries. The results of the analysis provide insights into future trends and offer recommendations on how to enhance the attractiveness of their countries for international visitors.