About 18 Million Foreign Tourists Visited Ukraine

For 9 months of this year 17.9 million foreign tourists visited Ukraine. The growth of visitors to Ukraine could make up 30-35% by the end of 2007. Acting Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ukraine Yurij Bogutskyj informed about it in the course of the broad meeting on summing up the 2007 tourist season.

Mr. Bogutskyj explained the increase of tourist number arriving in the country during 9 months in 2007 with the growing amount of organized tours and private trips. Particularly, the growth of the number of visitors within organized tours can be seen from the following countries: Russia (by 112%), Moldova (by 111%), Armenia (by 45%, Turkey (by 25%), and Italy (by 17%). There is also an increase of tourists traveling for personal purposes from Romania (by 263%), Belarus (by 39%, Slovakia (by 32.3%), Poland (by 19%) and the Russian Federation (by 10%).

Mr. Bogutskyj also pointed out that tourism within Ukraine remains a priority. The growth rate reached 74% within the period of 9 months, whereas it was 47% in 2006 within the same period. Enterprises in tourism sector provided services to 2.2 million tourists during 9 months of this year, which exceeds the rate of corresponding period in 2006 by 19%. The most visited travel destinations in Ukraine in 2007 were Ivano-Frankivsk region (the number of tourists grew 3.6), Poltava region (by 65%), Sumy region (by 26%), Odessa and Chernivtsi regions (by 15%), Donetsk region (by 13%), as well as Kyiv (by 30%). In general, rates of tourism within Ukraine increased in 19 regions of Ukraine.

According to the Acting Minister, Ivano-Frankivsk region had been preparing for such a rapid progress during past fews years. “Special conditions were created step by step for the small and medium business development in this region in order to improve tourist infrastructure. Governor of Ivano-Frankivsk region, heads of local government, representatives of local businesses – all display interest of recreation resources development in Ivano-Frankivsk region. And these high rates are due to the common efforts of all people concerned with tourism development”, he added.

At the same time, the number of tourists visiting Kirovograd region decreased by 37%, Lugansk by 18%, and Ternopil region by 19%. Mr. Bogutskyj noted that he is concerned with the lowering of interest to Ternopil region. “Ternopil region in Ukraine is marvelous due to the number of historical and cultural monuments, as well as unique nature and ethnic culture. That is why the reason of the lower growth rate of visiting this region is unclear”, said the Acting Minister.

Besides, according to Mr. Bogutskyj, the amount of services provided by travel agencies grew by 38% in 2007, which makes up to UAH 4 billion in monetary equivalent. Payments to the budget of all-levels tourist licensees increased by 30% during 9 months in 2007 and amounted to UAH 126.7 million. The growth of the number of tourists from EU was mainly due to the increase of visitors from Poland (by 19% or 557 400 tourists), Austria (by 24% or 4 700 tourists), Great Britain (by 19% or 7 800) and also from Italy (by 17% or 8 200 tourists).

Summing up this year tourist season, the Acting Minister pointed out that it was successful and the good weather conditions played one of the main roles in it.

Tags: tourism