WORLD TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE CONDITIONS OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors:   Uzhhorod National University, Kish Oleksandr , Kushnir Nataliya ,   Uzhhorod National University
Published: April 2022

As a result of our research, we found that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused radical changes in the global tourism market, the consequences of which on its further development are currently impossible to predict. The pandemic has caused an unprecedented decline in the tourism market in most countries. In response to these challenges, travel companies have been forced to substantially revise their marketing plans and programs. The changes to a greater or lesser extent affected all areas of tourism business, including the marketing of tourist destinations. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of international tourist arrivals in all countries. The complexity of the situation in which the tourism industry finds itself requires an adaptation period for tourists and for tourism industry in general. Despite the global scale, tourism has remained regional and national in content. This industry supports national traditions, stimulates the development of folk crafts, revival of recipes for interesting and tasty dishes, requires nature conservation and creating favorable social conditions for its operation, so in many countries international tourism is developing as a system that provides all necessary opportunities to get acquainted with culture, customs, history, religious and spiritual values of the state and its people. The coronavirus pandemic has affected all countries and the capital without exception. One of the sectors most affected is the tourism sector. the situation with the epidemic is developing so unpredictably that tourist facilities do not have time to reformat the work to sanitary requirements, which often change. In addition, not everyone is ready to respond to changes in quarantine zones, and for businesses this creates additional difficulties in organizing work. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that up to 75 million jobs are at risk in the sector. This estimation is even more worrying when we reflect on the fact that tourism is a leading job creator for those vulnerable segments of population: in fact, a far higher share of low-skilled immigrants, women and students are employed in tourism compared to the total non-financial business economy. The contribution of tourism to world GDP by countries that are most popular among tourists is analyzed. The percentage change in international tourist arrivals by region in 2020 and the dynamics of destinations that were most popular among tourists around the world in 2018-2020 are considered. It was found that due to the pandemic tourist flows. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of international tourist arrivals in all countries. At the same time, this pandemic opens up to the industry a rare opportunity for analysis and reorganization what could be done and what could be changed. Governments have the opportunity to recognize the unique ability of tourism not only to provide jobs but also to promote equality and social integration. Because tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, it is expected to play a significant role in restoring socio-economic stability after the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes caused by the pandemic situation are forcing the governments of almost all countries without exception especially those in which tourism is leading or sufficient significant direction of national development, in a new way approach to the formation of development strategies and programs tourism industry.