INFLUENCE OF THE UKRAINIAN REFUGEES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT BUSINESS IN THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Abstract

The Russian aggression against Ukraine has had a significant negative impact on both socio-economic and humanitarian indicators within Ukraine and within Europe. Therefore, the study of the impact of Ukrainian refugees on the development of the economies of Central and Eastern Europe is an urgent problem. Scientific publications on the trends of migration flows of refugees from Ukraine reflect not only the negative impact of these processes, but also outline positive economic changes in the host countries. The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of Ukrainian refugee flows on the development of the hotel, restaurant and tourism business in Central and Eastern Europe in order to determine the role of refugees in the development of the housing market in the host countries. The article presents the results of using the methodology of a questionnaire survey of Ukrainian refugees and owners of hotels and hostels from host countries. The survey helped to identify the main items of expenditure of Ukrainian refugees, as well as the sources of their coverage. It was found that Ukrainians spent not only the aid allocated to them by the host government, but also their savings from their own bank cards. Thus, the study confirms the positive impact of the sudden increase in refugee flows on the development of the accommodation and catering industry