Monitoring Sustainable Rural Tourism Development in Post-Conflict Areas Using Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis

This study explores the sustainable development of rural tourism in post-conflict areas, focusing on Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region from 2022 to 2024. The research addresses the critical role of rural tourism in economic recovery, social stability, and cultural preservation in regions affected by conflict, where traditional data collection methods are often disrupted. Utilizing remote sensing and geospatial analysis, the study develops a comprehensive monitoring methodology integrating indicators such as land use changes (LUCI), infrastructure recovery (RSTI), ecological stability (NDVI, NDWI), and socio-economic resilience (DAI, SSELI). The methodology combines satellite data (Sentinel-2, VIIRS) with GIS tools and socio-economic statistics to calculate an integrated index (IRSDRT) for assessing sustainability. Key findings reveal a significant recovery in tourism infrastructure, with RSTI peaking at 120.0 in 2023, and a steady increase in ecological indicators, such as NDVI rising from 28.57 to 36.00. Socially, digital accessibility (DAI) improved from 70% to 88%, supporting tourism growth despite ongoing challenges. The study concludes that geospatial technologies effectively monitor post-conflict recovery, highlighting the resilience of rural tourism in Transcarpathia. The results underscore the importance of balanced development, combining infrastructure, ecological preservation, and digitalization, and provide actionable insights for policymakers to enhance sustainable tourism in similar regions.