INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURAL TOURISM ACTORS IN THE POST-WAR PERIOD

Abstract

The article is devoted to a comprehensive study of the institutional infrastructure for the balanced development of cultural tourism actors in the post-war period and to identifying its key role in the recovery of the national tourism sector. The relevance of this research stems from the large-scale losses of cultural heritage and cultural infrastructure caused by the full-scale armed aggression, which creates unprecedented challenges for the functioning of cultural tourism. The article analyzes official data on the destruction of cultural objects, highlights the territorial unevenness of losses, and determines their impact on Ukraine’s tourism potential. The study clarifies the concept of institutional infrastructure in cultural tourism, understood as a system of formal and informal institutions, legal mechanisms, organizational structures, partnerships, and professional communities that ensure coordination and effective interaction among stakeholders. The main elements of this infrastructure are identified: national and regional authorities, civil society organizations, business entities, educational and research institutions, and international partners. Their functions are examined in the context of post-war reconstruction and the formation of a competitive tourism product. Special attention is paid to the analysis of post-war conditions that shape new requirements for tourism management: the need for the restoration of damaged cultural objects, the reorientation of tourism policies at the community level, safety assurance for tourist routes, and the involvement of international financial and technical assistance. The principles of balanced cultural tourism development are defined as a methodological foundation for building an effective institutional system, including heritage preservation, inclusiveness, economic resilience, environmental responsibility, and digital innovation. The article proposes key directions for improving the institutional infrastructure, such as modernization of cultural resources, expansion of partnership-based governance models, digitalization of services and administrative processes, strengthening international cooperation, and supporting domestic tourism as a tool for community recovery. It concludes that the formation of an effective institutional infrastructure is a strategic factor in ensuring the sustainability, competitiveness, and long-term development of Ukraine’s cultural tourism sector in the context of post-war reconstruction.