METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ASSESSING THE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL POTENTIAL OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CROSS-BORDER TERRITORIES (THE CASE OF THE CARPATHIAN EUROREGION)

Abstract

The relevance of the research: the cross-border territories of the Carpathian Euroregion concentrate a unique array of cultural heritage objects located in a multi-jurisdictional space of four states; however, most existing assessment methodologies are not adapted to the interstate dimension and do not account for cross-border accessibility, divergent national registers, or the requirements of the Carpathian Convention (2003). Subject of the research: the methodological foundations and criteria for a comprehensive assessment of historical and cultural heritage sites in cross-border territories under conditions of euroregional cooperation. The purpose of the study is to develop and test a multi-criteria weighted methodology for assessing the historical and cultural potential of the Carpathian Euroregion, integrated with GIS tools and the principles of the Sustainable Tourism Protocol (2011). Research methodology: systems approach, taxonomic analysis method (taxonomic development index by Sytnyk et al.), GIS modelling and isochrone-based transport accessibility analysis, participatory GIS mapping (PPGIS) tools, and registry database analysis following INSPIRE standards and Carpathian Heritage Inventory recommendations. The results of the study: a six-criteria weighted model was developed and tested on 127 heritage sites across four member states, yielding a four-level ranking scale and identifying 23 leading sites. Practical significance: results are applicable to cross-border route development, strategic tourism planning, EU funding applications, and joint UNESCO site protection programmes. Conclusions: the proposed methodology overcomes limitations of traditional approaches through the integration of cross-border context as an independent criterion and ensures data compatibility across different national registers. Prospects for further research: BIM and 3D scanning for digital twins of wooden architecture, intangible heritage assessment, replication in other Ukrainian euroregions.