УДК 338.48:615.851.8:005.51
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-3-44
JEL classification: L83, O31, I18
The article explores innovative approaches to developing a modern tourism product that incorporates zootherapy as an element of recreational retreat tourism. The relevance of the research is determined by the growing demand for psycho-emotional recovery and relaxation practices, especially in wartime conditions, when society urgently needs practical tools for emotional stabilization and social integration. The Odesa region is identified as a territory with high potential for developing innovative forms of tourism due to its favorable climate, natural healing resources, developed infrastructure, and unique geographical location. The purpose of the study is to identify and substantiate the possibilities of applying zootherapy (animal-assisted therapy) in creating new types of tourism products and to develop methodological recommendations for its effective implementation in tourism enterprises. The article analyzes current scientific approaches to developing innovative recreational services and examines the prerequisites for the emergence and evolution of retreat tourism both globally and in Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to two types of animal-assisted therapy – hippotherapy and dolphin therapy, which possess significant potential for integration into the tourism industry. A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of using equine retreats as an innovative tourism product. The study reveals that hippotherapy contributes not only to physical rehabilitation but also to deep emotional recovery, reduction of anxiety, and the enhancement of trust and empathy in human-animal interactions. The article presents a practical example of a hippotherapy program implemented in the Odesa region for the rehabilitation of military personnel, highlighting its high social significance. Dolphin therapy is analyzed as a component of retreat programs aimed at emotional relaxation, mental health improvement, and enhanced satisfaction from travel experiences. The paper discusses the controversial aspects of dolphin therapy effectiveness, including ethical concerns about keeping dolphins in captivity, while emphasizing its potential as a supplementary tool for psycho-emotional support within recreational activities. The findings suggest that integrating zootherapy into retreat tourism contributes to the formation of a new culture of mental health care, promotes inclusive and socially oriented tourism, and enhances the competitiveness of Ukrainian tourist regions. The proposed approach can be applied by tourism enterprises, public organizations, and rehabilitation centers to facilitate personal recovery, social adaptation of internally displaced people, and the strengthening of emotional resilience within communities. The results have practical value for tourism professionals, educators, psychologists, and developers of social and rehabilitation projects. Future research perspectives involve designing models for integrating various types of zootherapy into regional tourism products and developing methodological recommendations for safe and ethical human-animal interactions in recreational tourism activities.
Keywords: innovative tourism; retreat tourism; zootherapy; animal-assisted therapy; hippotherapy; dolphin therapy; recreational practices; psycho-emotional support; Odesa region; social integration.
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The article was received 04.08.2025
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Krupitsa Iryna, Ivanitsky Igor. 04.08.2025 . Innovative approaches to the creation of a tourist product in the odessa region. The journal "Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology". 2025 / #3. 226-229pp. https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-3-44
Quote article, MLA style
Krupitsa Iryna, Ivanitsky Igor. "Innovative approaches to the creation of a tourist product in the odessa region". The journal "Ukrainian Journal of Applied Economics and Technology". 04.08.2025 . https://doi.org/10.36887/2415-8453-2025-3-44