CRISIS AND HUMAN RESOURCES: THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR IN THE TRANSCARPATHIAN REGION IN THE REALITIES OF THE PANDEMIC

The hospitality sector is one of the most vulnerable branches of the economy due to its strong dependence on tourism flows and population mobility. The global COVID-19 pandemic caused profound socio-economic transformations, which were especially evident in the functioning of hotel enterprises and human resource management, particularly in tourism-oriented regions such as the Transcarpathian region of Ukraine. The results show that during the pre-crisis period the staffing situation was relatively stable, while in 2020 hotel enterprises faced significant staff reductions due to declining demand and quarantine restrictions. Most enterprises implemented workforce optimization strategies aimed at reducing costs and preserving key human capital. Increased social and health risks related to COVID-19 led to stricter safety standards and changes in work organization. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on the human resources of the hospitality sector in the Transcarpathian region. Further development requires adaptive personnel management models and increased resilience to crisis challenges.