Tourism project management: public-private partnership and grant funding as tools for strategic development

Abstract

In the current conditions of tourism industry development, the management of tourism projects acquires particular importance. It is driven by the necessity to ensure economic stability and competitiveness of regional destinations. The growing demand for tourism services, the need for infrastructure restoration, and the demand for innovative products create prerequisites for active resource mobilization through public-private partnerships, grant funding, and international donor programs. However, the high capital intensity of projects, their long life cycle, as well as social and environmental risks require a comprehensive approach to financing and coordination of stakeholder actions. The article aims to explore modern mechanisms of tourism project management with a focus on public-private partnerships and grant funding as strategic tools for tourism development. Methods.The study employs methods of systemic and structural-logical analysis, a comparative approach to evaluating classical and modern financing mechanisms, as well as an analysis of scientific publications and practical experience in implementing tourism projects. The information base comprises Ukrainian and international research in the fields of project management, public-private partnerships, and grant funding. Results. The research demonstrates that a comprehensive combination of public, private, and international resources is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of tourism project implementation. Public-private partnerships create conditions for attracting private capital and enable the scaling of initiatives. At the same time, grants stimulate innovation and support socially significant projects, while strategic planning and monitoring ensure coordination at all stages of the project life cycle. Conclusions. An integrated model of tourism project management is an effective tool for ensuring the sustainable development of the tourism sector. The combination of public-private partnerships, grant funding, strategic planning, and monitoring systems strengthens project resilience, fosters the development of local communities, innovative products, and environmentally oriented initiatives, and enhances the competitiveness of tourism destinations.