DEVELOPMENT OF WINE TOURISM IN CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Abstract

The article analyzes the development of wine tourism in the regions of Central Europe, specifically in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It is indicated that wine tourism is a promising direction for the development of the tourist services market. It is noted that wine tourism is a thematic type of tourism activity related to familiarization with the history, production technology, and culture of wine consumption in a particular region, as well as tasting wines directly from the producers. It has been established that in recent years, tourists’ interest in thematic tourism, particularly wine tourism, has been increasing. During the research, winemaking practices within the tourism business system were examined. In particular, it was determined that winemaking, as a tourist resource, combines cultural heritage, gastronomy, and sustainable development strategies. A comparative analysis of winemaking regions in Central Europe allowed not only to compare the current state of wine tourism in various Central European countries but also to identify the most successful practices that can be adapted in other regions. Current trends in eсgastronomic tourism are presented, including slow tourism, locality, and organic production. The influence of innovative forms of tourism activities on the attractiveness of destinations and the engagement of international tourists was defined. In the course of writing the article, the authors reviewed European experiences in the development of wine tourism with the aim of applying such practices in Ukraine. It is summarized that each country develops its unique model approach to ecotourism, and together they form a multifaceted map of Central Europe, where wine becomes the key to understanding local identity, traditions, and future opportunities. This multidisciplinary resource already today contributes to strengthening local economies, preserving cultural heritage, and enhancing the tourist attractiveness of the region on the global stage.