INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT FOR TOURISM ACTIVITIES AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TOURIST DESTINATION (USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE CITY OF LVIV)

Abstract

The article examines the infrastructure support of tourism activities as one of the key factors in the development of a tourist destination, using the city of Lviv as a case study. It is substantiated that the level of tourism infrastructure development determines the tourist attractiveness of a destination, its competitiveness, the quality of tourism services, the accessibility of tourism resources, and creates the prerequisites for the sustainable development of the tourism sector. The purpose of the study is to assess the current state of the infrastructure support of tourism activities in the city of Lviv, determine its impact on the formation of tourist attractiveness, and develop practical recommendations for improving tourism infrastructure. The research is based on a combination of general scientific and special research methods, including analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, comparison, SWOT analysis, the graphical method, as well as the generalization of scientific findings and statistical data. The study systematizes theoretical approaches to the interpretation of the concepts of tourist attractiveness and tourism infrastructure and identifies the main factors shaping the tourist attractiveness of the city of Lviv. It has been established that Lviv possesses significant tourism potential due to its rich historical and cultural heritage, a well-developed network of accommodation establishments, transport accessibility, tourism information infrastructure, and a strong tourism brand. At the same time, several factors constraining the further development of the destination have been identified, including the overcrowding of the city centre, the uneven development of tourism infrastructure, insufficient accessibility and inclusiveness, as well as the impact of external security-related and socio-economic challenges. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the comprehensive substantiation of the role of infrastructure support as a determining factor in the development of a tourist destination and in the development of practical directions for improving the tourism infrastructure of the city of Lviv. The proposed measures focus on the modernization of tourism infrastructure, the digitalization of tourism services, the development of a barrier-free environment, the diversification of the tourism product, and the implementation of the principles of sustainable development. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of their application by local self-government authorities and tourism stakeholders in the development of strategies for tourist destination development and the enhancement of the competitiveness of the city of Lviv.