CHANGES IN WINE TOURISM AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF WINE TOURISM PRODUCTS THROUGH THE EXAMPLE OF THE BEREHOVE DISTRICT IN TRANSCARPATHIA

Abstract

Tourism, especially wine and rural tourism, makes an important economic contribution to local communities in Transcarpathia. The wine sector is increasingly shaped by global challenges such as climate change, sustainability expectations, and the spread of digital tools. Despite these difficulties, the wine industry in the region remains an essential guardian of local traditions and cultural values. Wine festivals and wine routes have long played a central role in tourism development, although their importance has decreased significantly due to the war. The Bereg region, one of Transcarpathia’s leading wine areas, is also famous for its thermal waters, cultural heritage, and unique wine culture. The area has centuries-old winemaking traditions, and the favorable local climate is ideal for quality viticulture. Historically, the wine region has been divided and reorganized several times, but since the early 2000s it has been developing steadily. Our research was based on both secondary (literature analysis) and primary (structured interviews with winemakers) data collection methods. The questionnaire included 30 closed-ended questions, and the responses were processed using statistical methods, including averages, correlations, and cross-tabulations. Microsoft programs, QGIS, and SPSS software supported the data processing, with results presented in tables and charts. Key findings show that the majority of winemakers surveyed in the Beregvidék region are men aged between 30 and 39 with higher education, whose primary income comes from winemaking. The average vineyard size is 14.2 hectares, with a predominance of white grape varieties, mainly of Hungarian and Ukrainian origin. The impacts of COVID-19 and the war have radically transformed the region’s tourism and wine sales channels. While festivals and large events have disappeared, wine tastings and courier-based deliveries have become dominant. Larger estates proved more resilient in adapting to wartime conditions. Development priorities also differed by the age of wineries: younger wineries focused on infrastructure improvements and marketing, while older businesses prioritized value preservation and automation.