Specificity of tourist activities of sea cruises and localization of their economic activity

Abstract. Modern cruise tourism is becoming the most promising type of tourism due to the independence of the season and customer orientation with a high level of income. Therefore, as the economic environment develops, the need to develop cruise tourism in the world becomes an important task for the state and in particular for all enterprises, which thanks to it gain an advantage in the competition for the customer. A cruise is not only the organization of sea and river voyages with visits to port cities of several countries, but also within one. Cruise tourism is characterized by a skillful combination of diverse consumer needs, which is very important in a competitive market. Methods. The aim of the article is to substantiate the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of cruise tourism, study its state, reveal its role in ensuring sustainable development and provide practical recommendations for further growth of the potential of the cruise industry. Results. The achievement of this goal was achieved by solving the following tasks: identified the nature, prerequisites and factors of cruise tourism and the global cruise industry; outlined and highlighted the specifics, competitive advantages of tourism cruises, their place in the overall turnover of the tourism business. Trends in the development of cruise tourism and the localization of economic activity of sea cruises are studied and the priorities and potential opportunities for the development of cruise tourism in Ukraine are also assessed. Scientific novelty. An important component of cruise tourism is the regulation of the state and international cruise tourism organizations. The state has a direct influence on the development of cruise tourism. Practical significance. The objects of state regulation in the field of maritime tourism are the waters of the sea and coastal areas, in relation to coastal areas, the object of state regulation is the tourist infrastructure within the coastal areas. Given the specifics of tourism and the localization of economic activity of sea cruises and the fact that this sector of the economy covers almost all sectors of the economy and stimulates their development, it is important to determine the competitive advantages that shape the country's potential in the cruise industry. The article highlighted the most important factors of economic growth of both industries and enterprises involved in the cruise industry and the country as a whole, and identified competitive advantages in the cruise business of Ukraine. Key words: recreation; tourism; cruise, cruise tourism, cruise industry, cruise countries, sustainable development of cruise tourism, localization of economic activity of sea cruises competitive advantages.