SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF TOURIST PREFERENCES BEFORE AND AFTER COVID-19 (BASED ON SOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE BORDER AREA)

Abstract

The article presents a comparative analysis and socio-economic assessment of the behavior of the population of border area (Transcarpathian region) in tourism industry and travel-related services before the crisis COVID-19 and in the post-crisis period. The purpose of the article is to define the changes in tourism preferences caused by the impact of COVID-19, in particular to analyze the impact of the crisis on the distribution of households’ expenditures on recreation in the structure of their budgets, as well as post-crisis assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on tourists’ choices, such as destination, type of recreation, transport, accommodation and other aspects related to the tourist preferences. The results of the study showed that in the conditions of COVID-19 there were some changes in consumer preferences in the market of tourism and travel-related services in the region, but during the downturn period the tourist’s preferences and behavior have partially returned to the stage that was typical in the pre-crisis period. As a result of the impact of the crisis, there were some changes in the structure of households’ budget, in particular, there was a partial reduction in the level of tourist’s expenditures for recreation and travelling (for 72% of respondents). Objectively that in the post-crisis period has partially increased the number of tourists that started to prefer domestic tourism (by 5%). A lot of respondents chose to travel by their own cars (36%) and stay at hotels (36%), however, one third of respondents also prefer rural homestays (20,48%). The subjective assessment by the respondents of the factors that influencing their tourism choice in the post-crisis period showed that safety does not play a primary role for most of them and priority is given to living conditions, comfort and the level of prices. It is expected that the results of the study will provide an analytical basis for tourism industry managers to offer new services taking into account the preferences of tourists in the post-crisis period of COVID-19.