ADAPTATION POTENTIAL OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE BARRIER-FREE PARADIGM

Abstract

Introduction. Assessing the adaptive potential of tourist destinations in the barrier-free paradigm involves the ability of tourism systems to integrate the principles of inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities, the elderly, families with children and other groups with special mobility needs. Barrier-free tourism is not only a social imperative, but also a strategic factor in increasing the competitiveness, sustainability and innovation of tourist destinations.

Objective. To conceptualize the concept of "adaptive potential" as a multidimensional category, identify its determinants, and develop a comprehensive model for measuring the level of accessibility in the international dimension.

Methods. The methodological framework combines theoretical and empirical approaches, including a critical review of scholarly literature, international standards, and national regulatory frameworks, as well as statistical data obtained from Airbnb, Booking.com, and the World Bank, on the basis of which an economic and mathematical model was developed and tested.

Results. For quantitative assessment of an adaptation potential, an economic-mathematical model was proposed, based on principal component analysis, correlation analysis, and data normalization. The model integrates factors of social inclusion, economic and infrastructural characteristics, indicators of living standards, and environmental sustainability, thereby generating an integral index of the adaptation potential of tourist destinations (IAPT). The findings indicate significant differentiation across the countries analyzed. The highest index values were recorded for France (0.743), Sweden (0.740), and Germany (0.727), demonstrating the effectiveness of systemic approaches to barrier-free tourism development, advanced infrastructure, and integration of inclusivity into state policy. Countries with medium adaptation potential include the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, and Spain (0.569–0.691), which show positive progress yet require improvements in transport accessibility and infrastructural balance. Poland (0.291) and the Czech Republic (0.390) display a fragmented adaptation capacity, while Ukraine (0.060) ranks last, reflecting critical insufficiency in infrastructural solutions, the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework, and limited institutional support. A comparative analysis of more than 50 indicators confirmed a strong correlation between economic development, inclusive social policies, the quality of transport and digital infrastructure, and the ability to create an inclusive tourism environment. The practical significance of the proposed model lies in the fact that it can be applied to domestic tourism at the regional and local levels. The region as a tourist destination has a sufficient number of parameters that can be measured, compared and interpreted through aggregated.

Conclusions. The study demonstrates that the adaptation potential of tourist destinations is an integrative category determined by a combination of socio-economic, institutional, infrastructural, and environmental factors. The proposed model provides a scientifically grounded tool for cross-country comparisons and for monitoring inclusivity policies in tourism. For countries with low adaptation potential, priority measures include investments in the modernization of transport and social infrastructure, harmonization of legislation with European standards, and the digitalization of tourism services.