Keywords
sustainable development
tourist destinations
nature therapy
digital detox
post-war rehabilitation
How to Cite
Abstract
The article conceptualizes retreat tourism as a vector for the sustainable development of Ukrainian tourist territories, which becomes particularly relevant under the conditions of post-war socio-economic transformations and the escalating societal demand for psychophysiological rehabilitation. The aim of the study is to provide a theoretical and methodological justification for the institutionalization models of retreat destinations through the synthesis of natural-resource potential, environmental quality standards, socio-psychological determinants of demand, and the adaptation of European practices. The results indicate that retreat tourism functions as an innovative, low-invasive paradigm of tourism activity aimed at minimizing anthropogenic pressure on ecosystems and forming an ecologically balanced “tourist–nature” interface. It is identified that the natural and landscape heterogeneity of Ukraine creates favourable prerequisites for diversifying retreat-program formats. It is demonstrated that the determinants of demand formation for retreat services include post-war psychotraumatic effects, digital oversaturation, growing interest in mindfulness practices, and the need to restore psych emotional homeostasis. Practical models of sustainable management for retreat destinations are proposed, integrating eco-housing, renewable energy sources, localized food supply chains, multi-actor coordination among the state, businesses, and communities, as well as the formation of regional clusters based on the experiences of Italy, Portugal, Poland, and Germany. The applied validity of the study lies in the possibility of translating the proposed models into tools for activating new segments of the tourist market, stimulating local economic systems, and institutionalizing innovative formats of recreational services. Prospective vectors for further scientific inquiry focus on constructing a system of performance indicators for retreat destinations and modelling their impact on regional socio-economic development. The study also highlights the need for deeper investigation into the integration of retreat tourism into the post-war rehabilitation system and its institutional incorporation into the national tourism strategy
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