Mrs. Marina Hariton- the Coordinator of Tourism Project “Reveal Ukraine - European country with sincere heart” which presentation was held in Baku, in her exclusive interview for Eurasia Diary talks about the tourism industry in Ukraine and about the expectations from Eurovision-2017.
Eurasia Diary: The project “Reveal Ukraine- European country with sincere heart” is holding in Baku now. What do you suggest to foreign tourists in revealing Ukraine?
M. Hariton: First of all, we offer professional travel agencies, perfect base for accommodation and conference capabilities of Ukraine. All of this came thanks to large-scale events like “Eurovision-2005” and EURO 2012. Nowadays, Ukraine is one of the Europe’s best places for tourists and business-travelers.
Eurasia Diary: Ukraine managed to re-create a positive image as an attractive tourist destination following the success of European Football Championship 2012. According to the results of 2012-2013 Ukraine debuted in the international tourist’s ratings and guides. In your opinion, what time Ukraine’s tourism goes through now?
M. Hariton: We have already experienced crisis. Ukraine is on the increase now for which we are grateful to Tourism Office of the Kiev City Administration especially Anton Taranenko and Convention Bureaus of Lviv, Kiev and Odessa cities. These bureaus which are on the basis of city councils and mayors make a great job in positioning each city at all international exhibitions.
We are ready for Eurovision for 100% due to the remarkable hotel base, excellent infrastructure and indicators and information maps of Kiev, Lviv and Odessa which were created during EURO 2012. Any tourist regardless of the language barrier can easily orientate anywhere in Ukraine.
Eurasia Diary: What problems does the tourism business face in Ukraine?
M. Hariton: Primarily, mistrust and fear of foreign tourists who believe that condition in Ukraine are unstable. Ukrainian market suffers inasmuch as neighboring states have positioned Ukraine as a dangerous country. Therefore, we take responsibility to introduce various countries to the safety of Ukraine. We collect comments of our guests about our safety. We don’t want to say on our bare word that we are safe country; we want you to be the judges instead who will check and share a positive experience with others.
Eurasia Diary: What expectations in terms of tourism do you have during the period of “Eurovision-2017” in Kiev in May? How the country does prepare itself for tourists’ inflow in spring?
M. Hariton: The country is preparing very actively considering that our four cities fought for the right to host Eurovision. Kiev won in this unprecedented fight when each city wanted to be the host. Certainly, Also of note, an important role in the fact that Kiev hosts Eurovision played Tourism Office of the Kiev City Administration especially Anton Taranenko . Kiev expects the flow of tourists; however; no one restricts them to arrive only to capital. Kiev is just a tip of the iceberg that will show to the guests that Ukraine got more.
The mission of our today’s event is to show that when you arrive at some great world event you can make acquaintance with the whole Ukraine. Our country is very compact and interesting so you can see it beauty during 3-4 days. Eurovision’s goal is not only to demonstrate Kiev but also the whole Ukraine.
Eurasia Diary: It so happened that Crimea that once was one of the most popular tourist’s destinations, is under Russia’s control. How this influenced on Ukrainian tourism and which alternative Ukraine can offer to the foreigners?
M. Hariton: Ukraine managed to cope with that crisis quickly. Surprisingly, this hole in tourism was filled by Transcarpathia. If before Transcarpathia didn’t have a sea, now they have one. Moreover, Bukovel who before was considered as a winter resort now is ready for tourists all year round due to the mountains, sea, field, wonderful climate, resorts and spa, recreation areas, ecological tours and opportunity to travel. Odessa is on the same way too.
Therefore, if people want to have a fun vacation at sea then Odessa is the right place, if they want peace, nature and water relax then it is Transcarpathia.
Nowadays, Carpathians and Transcarpathia have developed an incredible number of programs and built enough places to accommodate tourists and satisfy all their needs in recreation, recovery and entertainment.
