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ΑΡΘΡΟ
Volodymyr Shkurov,
Ambassador of Ukraine
Does Ukraine really
have what it takes to attract tourists?
The 18th International Tourist
Fair "Ukraine 2011"
Πηγή: "Politistiki
Diplomatia" Magazine, τεύχος Φεβρουαρίου
The Ukrainian tourism industry has definitely entered the world tourist
market having become the official member of the World Tourism
Organization in 1997. While the Soviet Union period, tourism was not
even a branch of the state economy and was considered as a neglected
part in "the sphere of services". Today tourism industry in Ukraine
became one of the rapidly developing and expanding branches of the state
economy. There are a series of reasons for such positive changes.
Despite the economic recession which hit Ukraine during the period of
the world crisis in 2008 and 2009, negatively affecting both outbound
and domestic tourism in the country, the latest figures from the United
Nations World Tourism Organization demonstrate that Ukraine is the 12th
most popular tourist destination in the world - with 20.7 million
visitors in 2009 and forecasting growth of 7% in 2010.
Does Ukraine really have what it takes to attract tourists?
The answer is "yes". In fact, it has a great potential, especially now
when Ukraine is set to co-host the 2012 UEFA European football
championship with Poland. The modernization of Ukraine's tourism
infrastructure is becoming one of the important priorities in the agenda
of the Government. We expect this event to attract thousands of
tourists. Besides, the requirements for hosting EURO-2012 include an
array of infrastructure investment that can only be regarded as positive
for the Ukrainian tourism industry and for further economic development
of Ukraine in general.
Being the largest country on the European continent, Ukraine enjoys
unique geographical position, favorable climate as well as rich
recreational resources for resting, sporting, medical treatment and
health recovery. The country's exceptional landscapes, wonderful
sceneries, national parks, the presence of mineral and thermal waters,
medical mud create an excellent opportunity for forming highly developed
resort-recreational industry. Ukrainian tourism industry statistics show
that the most popular tourist destinations are: Crimea (attracts 30% of
all visitors), Ukraine's capital city Kyiv (30%), City of Lviv,
Carpathian region and City of Odessa. Over 500 cities of Ukraine were
founded more than 900 years ago. More than 150 thousand cultural,
historical and archeological monuments reflect the remarkable history of
the Ukrainian people. The excavations of ancient towns of Tira, Olviya,
Chersonese, Panticapea, dating from the 5th century B.C. as well as the
magnificent fortresses built in the 14th-15th centuries by Italians from
Genoa are located in Crimea. More than 600 museums introduce the most
outstanding facts and personalities of Ukrainian history and culture.
Furthermore, Ukraine is one of the wooded countries in the world -
forests occupy 14.3% of the whole territory. In this respect, Ukrainian
tourism opportunities are not restricted to the traditional
destinations. There are many picturesque places where tourists may find
the unique combination of virgin nature and animal life.
The major part of the state policy regarding tourism is Ukraine's
international integration. Purposeful and systematic activities aimed at
further strengthening of international ties effectively provide the
basis for the establishment of a tourist-friendly environment in
Ukraine, the improvement of trans-border infrastructure and simplified
formalities related to tourists' entrance into the country as well as
the development of national economy and culture. For instance, Greek
citizens no longer require a visa to enter Ukraine for stays under 90
days.
Nowadays, the Hellenic Republic is considered to be one of the most
promising partners of Ukraine in the sphere of tourism. However, a
complex system of issuing tourist visas to Ukrainian citizens has a
negative impact on the existing tourism opportunities of both countries.
Particularly, each year more than 15 million Ukrainian tourists travel
to various countries, up to 8 million are traveling to Europe. Only 60
thousands visited Greece in 2010.
During the meeting of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych with
the President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias, held in Athens
on June 6, 2010 was agreed by both Sides that Ukraine and Greece should
significantly strengthen their bilateral relations, in particular, their
cooperation in tourism. The President of Ukraine underlined that, having
tourism potential, Ukraine is extremely interested in great experience
of Greece in this sphere. "We would like to sign several agreements that
would open this way for us," he said.
In addition, Ukraine places an emphasis on the establishment of a direct
cargo and passenger ferry connection between Ukrainian and Greek ports
which may provide an impetus for the expansion of Ukrainian - Hellenic
ties in the areas of tourism and freight traffic. EURO-2012 could also
contribute to the popularity of the project. At the moment, both Sides
are actively discussing the possibility of realization of such project.
Ukraine confidently enters the world tourist market thanks to carrying
out the International Tourist Fair "Ukraine". This Fair is held annually
in October in Kyiv under the auspices of the State Service for Tourism
and Resorts of Ukraine and the World Tourism Organization. It is the
most representative and mass tourist event in our country. All regions
of Ukraine are widely represented at the International Tourist Fair
"Ukraine" that gives opportunities to demonstrate all tourist potential
of our country.
Therefore, we welcome all representatives of the Greek tourism industry
to participate in the 18th International Tourist Fair "Ukraine'2011" to
be held in Kyiv in October, 2011 and wish all the guests of our country
unforgettable impressions, wonderful and pleasant discoveries as well as
establishing interesting contacts with the representatives of Ukrainian
tourism industry.
-
ΙΩΣΗΦ ΙΩΣΗΦ, Πρέσβυς της Κύπρου στην Ελλάδα
-
Δρ. ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ ΛΥΡΑΣ, Επίτ. Πρόξενος
της Βραζιλίας στην Ελλάδα
- VOLODYMYR
SHKUROV, Ambassador of Ukraine to
the Hellenic Republic
-
MACIEJ KRYCH, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland
-
ΕΥΣΤΡΑΤΙΑ ΣΟΥΡΑΒΛΑ, Καθ. Φιλολογίας
-
ΑΛΕΞΑΝΤΕΡ ΧΟΜΕΝΚΟ,
Διευθυντής Ρωσικού Πολιτιστικού και Επιστημονικού Κέντρου
-
ΠΑΥΛΟΣ ΓΕΡΟΥΛΑΝΟΣ, Υπουργός
Πολιτισμού και Τουρισμού
- ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΗ ΤΖΙΤΖΙΚΩΣΤΑ,
Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Εθνικής Επιτροπής
για την UNESCO
-
TOM NORRING, Ambassador of Denmark in Greece
- ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ ΛΥΡΑΣ, Ιατρός Πλαστικός Χειρουργός,
Επίτιμος Πρόξενος της Βραζιλίας στην Ελλάδα
- Ε. ΚΟΖΑΚΟΥ-ΜΑΡΚΟΥΛΗ, Υπουργός Εξωτερικών της
Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας
- ΑΝΝΑ ΖΩΗΡΟΥ,
Σύμβουλος ΛΑΟΣ σε θέματα Οικονομικών & Διεθνών
Σχέσεων
- ΠΑΡΗ ΡΑΠΤΗ ΛΥΡΑ, Ιατρός Ενδοκρινολόγος -
Διαβητολόγος
-
ΠΕΤΡΟΣ ΛΕΩΤΣΑΚΟΣ, Δημοσιογράφος,
τραπεζικός συνάκτης
-
ΝΙΚΟΣ Γ. ΣΥΚΑΣ,
Σύμβουλος Στρατηγικής & Επικοινωνίας
- JΟRGE ALEJANDRO
MASTROPIETRO,
Ambassador of Argentina
- ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ. ΛΑΜΠΡΙΝΙΔΗΣ,
Υπουργός Εξωτερικών - Ομιλία στο ΥΠΕΞ στις 28/7/2011
- SVERRE STUB, Ambassador of Norway
- MEHDI HONARDOOST, Ambassador of Iran
- DRAGAN ZUPANJEVAC, Ambassador of Serbia
- VOLODYMYR SHKUROV, Ambassador of Ukraine
-
ΕΝΩΣΗ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΩΝ ΥΠΑΛΛΗΛΩΝ
-
STEPHEN G. MILLER, Επίτιμος Καθηγητής του
Πανεπιστημίου Berkley, Καλιφόρνια, ΗΠA
- ΝΤΕΪΒΙΝΤ ΛΑΝΤΣΜΑΝ,
Πρέσβυς της Μ. Βρετανίας στην Ελλάδα
- ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ
ΜΩΡΑΪΤΗΣ, Εκδότης του περιοδικού "Politistiki Diplomatia"
- ΠΑΝΟΣ
ΠΑΝΑΓΙΩΤΟΥ, Χρηματιστηριακός τεχνικός αναλυτής
διευθυντής GSTA/ EKTA
-
ΣΑΒΒΑΣ ΚΑΛΝΤΕΡΙΔΗΣ
- ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΜΩΡΑΪΤΗΣ Εκδότης του περιοδικού
'Politistiki Diplomatia'
-
ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ ΚΥΡΙΑΖΟΓΛΟΥ,
CICA, M.S, B.A(Honours), Σύμβουλος Πληροφορικής
και Συγγραφέας
-
JOZSEF TOTH, Ambassador of Hungary
- ΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ Ι. ΜΑΛΦΑΣ, Dottor.
- JAN VODERADSKY, Ambassador of Slovakia
-
MANDISA DONA MARASHA, Ambassador of South
Africa
- ΙΕΡΟΘΕΟΣ
ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ, Εκπρόσωπος της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής στην Ελλάδα
- ΝΙΚΟΣ
ΧΑΡΔΑΛΙΑΣ,
Δήμαρχος
Βύρωνα
- MΕHDI HONARDOOST, Αmbassador of Iran to
Grecce
-
ΧΑΪΔΕΥΤΟΣ
ΚΟΜΝΗΝΟΣ,
Πρόεδρος
της Ομοσπονδίας Ελληνικών Κοινοτήτων Σουηδίας
-
VILI
SHEFKI MINAROLLI, Αmbassador of Albania to Greece
- ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΜΩΡΑΪΤΗΣ, Εκδότης του
περιοδικού 'Politistiki Diplomatia'
-
SINE RIISAGER, The Danish Institute
-
ΓΙΑΝΝΑ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ, Πρόεδρος
Special Olympics
-
FIDEL CASTRO
-
ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ, Πρόεδρος Ομοσπονδίας Γερμανικών Κοινοτήτων - Ταμίας
ΣΑΕ
- ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ,
Αναλυτής, ΜΑ σε Διεθνείς Σχέσεις
-
ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ ΑΜΠΑΤΖΗΣ,
Πρόξενος της Γερμανίας στην Πάτρα
-
ΜΑΡΙΝΑ ΔΟΥΛΑΜΗ, Επίτιμος Προξένος της Γαλλίας στην Αλεξανδρούπολη
-
EUSEBI AYENSA,
Instituto Cervantes de Atenas
-
CAPOCCI,
Προέδρος του Ελληνο-Ιταλικού Επιμελητηρίου
-
ΜΑΡΙΛΕΝΑ ΚΟΠΠΑ,
Ευρωβουλευτής ΠΑΣΟΚ
-
ΕΥΔΟΞΙΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ,
Πρόεδρος Ομοσπονδίας Ελλήνων Βελγίου
-
ΗΡΑ ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ,
Director of Cultural Affairs of the Hellenic American
Union
-
VALERIY TSYBUCKΗ,
Ambassador of Ukraine to Greece
-
HAKAN MALMQVIST, Ambassador
of Sweden to Greece
- AΡΙΣΤΟΤΕΛΗΣ
ΘΩΜΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ, Προέδρος HELEXPO A.E.
- To άσβεστο 'ΟΧΙ'
των Ελλήνων
-
Ν.Δ.: Διάσπαση ή
Εσωστρέφεια;
-
ΠΟΛΥ ΒΛΑΧΟΥ,
Διευθύντρια Πολιτιστικού Οργανισμού Ηλιούπολης
-
ΝΙΚΟΣ ΧΑΡΔΑΛΙΑΣ,
Δήμαρχος Βύρωνα
-
ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ
ΜΟΥΡΜΟΥΡΗΣ,
Καθηγητής ΔΠΘ
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