The Committee on Family Matters, Youth Policy, Sports and Tourism held an offsite meeting in Chernihiv Oblast dedicated to “Threats and prospects of developing tourism in Ukraine in conditions of military aggression of the Russian Federation (on the model of Chernihiv Oblast)”

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat
26 February 2015, 10:33

 Committee members granted a hearing to information of Chernihiv Oblast State Administration about the development of cultural, excursion and village green tourism in the Oblast.

Committee Chair A.Palatnyi said that Chernihiv region occupies a leading position in Ukraine in terms of the number of cultural property sites, natural protected areas and favorable climate. “Unfortunately all this is under-used for the attraction of tourists. Ukrainian tourists pay thousands of euros to stay for several days in the castles of France, Germany, or Spain.” 

The people’s deputy underlined that efficient functioning of tourism in Ukraine will depend on the join efforts of central and local authorities, as well as the society.

Secretary of the Committee, chairperson of the subcommittee on the development of tourism, health resorts and recreation activity Anna Romanova said that tourism “is of great importance for Ukraine and plays a key role in attracting investments and establishing new jobs in different branches of economy.”

A.Romanova attached attention of those present to the problems of state and local management in the sphere of tourism; challenges that prevent Ukraine from decently developing tourism; and additional sources of funding for the development of tourism.     

Participants of the meeting expressed concern about the lack of a comprehensive approach for the development of tourism at a central level (i.e. a comprehensive Tourism Development Strategy) and lack of the respective governmental vertical at a local level, etc.

It was stressed that despite everything, Chernihiv Oblast today implements a modern tourism policy on delegating the respective authorities to bodies of local self-government; supporting local initiatives; and developing different forms of tourism, etc.

Committee members saw the sights of Chernihiv, particularly, the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, Trinity Cathedral Church and St. Antonii’s caves – the spiritual and historical landmark of Chernihiv. 

Following the results of the meeting, the Committee gave several recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine to settle legal, organizational, economic and social issues of tourism development.

The meeting was held with support of Chernihiv Oblast State Administration.