Development strategies and the role of tourism in the economic and social advancement of Transcarpathia (2014–2021)

Abstract

The study presents a comparative analysis of tourism development strategies in Transcarpathia, a region experiencing continuous geopolitical and economic transformation. Its aim is to examine how different development frameworks – the Ukrainian regional development strategies for 2014–2020 and the extension to 2025, the Egan Ede Economic Development Program supported by the Hungarian government, and the strategy of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Tourist Council (KMTT) – respond to current challenges and integrate international funding with local needs. A mixed methodology is applied, combining document analysis with a questionnaire survey involving 140 respondents, enabling the exploration of strategic objectives, implementation tools, and the perspectives of local tourism stakeholders.

The paper is organized into distinct sections. The introductory part outlines the socioeconomic and political context of the region, with particular attention to the effects of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict. The methodology chapter details the process of document analysis and the questionnaire design. Subsequent sections provide an in-depth presentation of the Ukrainian state development plans, the Egan Ede Program, and the KMTT strategy. The empirical findings from the questionnaire survey are then discussed, followed by a comparative synthesis of the three approaches.

The results indicate that the Ukrainian regional strategies concentrate on macro-level economic and infrastructural challenges, treating tourism as a tool for economic diversification and job creation. However, political instability and insufficient funding limit their effectiveness. In contrast, the Egan Ede Program focuses on strengthening the Hungarian community’s economy, particularly through rural tourism and the utilization of cultural heritage, yielding rapid and tangible outcomes despite a narrower geographic and ethnic scope. The KMTT strategy points toward sustainability, digital transformation, and cross-border cooperation, aligning with contemporary European Union tourism trends.

Findings from the survey reveal that 87% of respondents consider international financial resources—such as EU Interreg programs and Hungarian state funding—essential for tourism development. Nevertheless, awareness of the Ukrainian regional strategy remains lower than that of the Hungarian community-based initiatives. Rural and health tourism emerge as the most promising development directions, followed by ethno- and gastronomy-related tourism. The survey also highlights the importance of improving digital marketing and online booking systems to enhance competitiveness in international markets.

The analysis underscores that successful tourism development in Transcarpathia depends on multi-level coordination, diversified funding sources, active involvement of local communities, and the swift adoption of digital solutions. Sustainable growth can only be achieved through the stable availability of international support and the harmonization of state-level and community-based strategies. The conclusions provide both scientific insight and practical guidance for regional tourism policymakers, emphasizing that the combination of tradition-based tourism products and strengthened digital competitiveness offers the most viable path for long-term value creation in Transcarpathian tourism.