ANALYSIS OF BALNEOLOGICAL RESORTS IN UKRAINE AND WORLDWIDE: ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND MANAGERIAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the development of balneological resorts in Ukraine and worldwide, with particular attention to their environmental, economic, and managerial dimensions. In the context of increasing global demand for health-oriented tourism and sustainable recreational services, balneological resorts have become an important component of regional economic development, public health improvement, and environmental management. The study examines contemporary scientific approaches to the functioning of the resort and recreation sector and identifies the key determinants of its efficiency, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability.

The research investigates the current state of balneological resorts in Ukraine and compares it with international practices implemented in leading spa destinations. Particular attention is paid to the rational use of natural therapeutic resources, including mineral waters, therapeutic muds, and favorable climatic conditions, which constitute the foundation of balneological tourism. The analysis reveals a number of systemic constraints that hinder the development of Ukrainian balneological resorts, including insufficient investment, obsolete infrastructure, inadequate marketing strategies, limited digitalization, weak integration into international tourism markets, and increasing environmental risks associated with the exploitation of natural resources.

Economic factors affecting the performance of balneological resorts are analyzed using investment and management approaches. The study emphasizes the importance of evaluating investment efficiency through financial indicators, including net present value (NPV), as well as assessing the influence of infrastructure modernization, service quality, innovation, and destination branding on the competitiveness of resort enterprises. Environmental aspects are considered from the perspective of sustainable resource management, ecological modernization, and the implementation of environmentally responsible management practices aimed at preserving natural healing resources for future generations.

Based on the conducted analysis, a conceptual model for the sustainable development of the balneological resort sector is proposed. The model integrates environmental sustainability, effective management, investment support, digital transformation, innovation, and strategic marketing into a unified framework for increasing competitiveness. The study substantiates priority directions for the modernization of the industry, including the introduction of sustainable management principles, enhancement of public-private partnerships, attraction of domestic and foreign investments, improvement of service quality, development of wellness tourism, and strengthening of regional and international cooperation. The findings may serve as a scientific basis for the formulation of public policies and management strategies aimed at ensuring the sustainable development and international competitiveness of balneological resorts in Ukraine.