Oliinyk Tatiana, PhD (Economics), Associate Professor of the Department of Enterprise Economics, Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0002-5803-2596
e-mail: oliinyktg@gmail.com

Pavliuk, Svitlana,  PhD (Economics), Associate Professor of the Department of Hotel and Restaurant Business and Tourism, Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0001-9093-5237
e-mail: svetlanapavliyk@gmail.com

Galunets Nataliia, Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Management and Administration and International Economics, Mykolaiv National Agrarian University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0001-7709-9238
e-mail: galunetsni@mnau.edu.ua

Agroecotourism As A Factor of Sustainable Development and Increasing the Competitiveness Of Rural Areas Of Southern Ukraine

Abstract. Introduction. The development of rural areas in Ukraine takes place under conditions of socio-economic transformations, demographic changes, labor migration, and the consequences of military actions, which significantly affect regional economic stability. In such conditions, the search for effective directions of economic diversification and sustainable development of rural territories becomes particularly relevant. Agroecotourism is considered one of the promising tools that combines agricultural production, tourism activities, and environmentally oriented practices, contributing to the revival and strengthening of rural economies.

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the role of agroecotourism as a factor of sustainable development and increasing the competitiveness of rural areas in Southern Ukraine, as well as to determine the main directions of its development in the context of modern socio-economic transformations and security challenges.

ResultsThe study reveals the essence of agroecotourism as an integrated form of economic activity combining elements of agricultural production, tourism services, and ecological responsibility. The study establishes that agroecotourism contributes to the diversification of rural economies, the creation of additional income sources, the development of small and family businesses, and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

The resource potential of Southern Ukraine for agroecotourism development is analyzed, including natural landscapes, favorable climatic conditions, developed agricultural production, and rich ethnocultural traditions. Practical examples, such as wine and gastronomic tourism locations, farm enterprises, specialized agro-farms, and natural and ethnocultural sites, are examined for their potential to form competitive tourism products.

The key barriers to the development of agroecotourism are identified, including insufficient infrastructure, limited access to financial resources, weak marketing promotion, low level of integration of local communities into tourism processes, and the negative impact of military actions on tourism infrastructure.

The study demonstrates that agroecotourism has a comprehensive impact on territorial development, generating economic, social, and environmental effects. Economic effects include income growth, employment, and entrepreneurship. Social effects include reduction of migration, community development, and improvement of quality of life. Environmental effects include conservation of natural resources and development of ecological culture. As a result, agroecotourism increases the competitiveness of rural areas.

Conclusions. Agroecotourism is a strategic approach to the sustainable development of rural areas in southern Ukraine, as well as an effective means of increasing their competitiveness. In the context of modern challenges, including war and post-crisis recovery, agroecotourism demonstrates high adaptability, contributing to the development of safe tourism destinations, the strengthening of local economies, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage. Promising areas of development include forming agroecotourism clusters, developing gastronomic and wine routes, digitizing tourism products, supporting farm enterprises, and integrating agroecotourism into territorial development strategies.

Keywords: agroecotourism; sustainable development; rural areas; competitiveness; regional development; tourism potential; Southern Ukraine.

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