GIS analysis of the tourism attractiveness of Poltava district, Poltava region

The purpose of the article is to assess the tourism attractiveness of Poltava District, Poltava Region, using GISbased analysis, and to identify the spatial distribution of key tourism resources and infrastructure across the territorial communities. The main material. The GIS-based methodology for analyzing tourism attractiveness involves a comprehensive approach with several stages: data collection and processing, thematic map creation, spatial analysis, and visualization of the results. To assess the tourism attractiveness of the Poltava district in Poltava region, we applied the criteria of scenic beauty, availability of tourist attractions, availability of accommodation facilities, and transport accessibility. The research was conducted in ArcGIS Desktop 10.8. To identify the most scenic areas, buffer zones were created around layers of water bodies, forests, and territories with high terrain dissection. To calculate the level of provision with tourist attractions, the number of attractions of each type within the district’s communities was determined. For the analysis of accommodation facilities, 30 km service zones were generated around the respective objects. To assess the transport accessibility of the communities, distances were measured between their centers and the city of Poltava, which is the administrative center of both the district and the region. Relevant indices were calculated for each criterion, as well as an overall Tourism Attractiveness Index for each territorial community of Poltava District. Maps of natural and recreational resources, tourist attractions, and tourism attractiveness of the study area were compiled. Conclusions. The territorial communities of Poltava District demonstrate varying levels of tourism attractiveness, combining rich natural and cultural resources with different degrees of transport accessibility and infrastructure development. The most attractive for tourism are the Poltavska and Shcherbanivska communities (due to their scenic landscapes and favorable transport accessibility), while the least attractive are Skorokhodivska, Drabynivska, Martynivska, and Nekhvoroshchanska (because of limited infrastructure and fewer tourist attractions). Overall, Poltava district has a solid foundation for tourism development, with significant opportunities to enhance its attractiveness through improved infrastructure and the promotion of local heritage.