The Ukraine is close to a civil war with ongoing violent protests in Kiev. Regardless Ukraine plans to increase its tourist inflow to 50 million every year as a part of its State Target Programme for Tourism and Resorts. “We are increasing budget allocation to 5 billion Ukrainian Hryvna [and increase tourism inflow by 10 per cent every year,” Shapovalova Olena, Chairperson, State Agency of Ukraine Tourism and Resorts, told the press.
With more than 5,000 cultural heritage sites, seven of which are on World Unesco Heritage list, the tourism authorities are also working toward creating a favourable investment climate in the sector. Ukraine attracted more than $1 billion ( private investment in 2012 when it hosted the European Football Championship in 2012, with tournaments taking place in the country’s capital city Kiev and in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Lviv.
Ukraine attracts more than 20 million foreign citizens every year (23 million in 2012). Visitors primarily come from Eastern Europe, but also from Western Europe (6.3 million) and USA and Israel and also Canada. The country is the 8th most popular tourism destination in Europe.
Ukraine is a destination on the crossroads between central and eastern Europe, between north and south. It borders Russia and is not far from Turkey. It has mountain ranges – the Carpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. The coastline on the Black Sea is a popular summer destination for vacationers. Ukraine has vineyards where they produce native wines, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches as well as a few mosques and synagogues. Kyiv, the country’s capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards.
There are other cities well-known to tourists such as the harbour town Odesa and the old city of Lviv in the west. Most of Western Ukraine, which used to be within the borders of the Republic of Poland before World War II, is a popular destination for Poles. Crimea, a little “continent” of its own, is a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming or sun tanning on the Black Sea with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins. Cities there include: Sevastopol and Yalta – location of the peace conference at the end of World War II. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on the Dnipro River from Kyiv to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes.
The country’s tourism industry is generally considered to be underdeveloped, but it does provide crucial support for Ukraine’s economy. Ukraine does have certain advantages, including much lower costs than other European destinations, as well as visa-free access for most people from Europe, the former Soviet Union, and North America. Since 2005 citizens of European Union and EFTA, USA, Canada, Japan and South Korea no longer require a visa to visit Ukraine for tourism purposes. Also, no visa has been required for citizens of Russia, and other CIS countries (except Turkmenistan).
