Ukraine should systematically and comprehensively deal with the development of tourism as an industry, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has said.

"We need to systematically change relations in the tourism industry and the principles of its work. Therefore, it's time to develop the tourism sector as an industry - systematically and comprehensively," he said, while opening a government meeting on Wednesday.

Azarov said that tourism in EU countries generates 8% of current GDP, while the number of jobs in the tourism industry is about 12% of the total number of employed people.

"Ukraine should focus on this level. This is a completely achievable goal, as the flow of tourists in Ukraine has been growing since Euro 2012. It can either be consistently high or roll into countries with better services," Azarov said.

He said that problems in this sector, as well as a report on the work of the State Agency for Tourism and Resorts, would be heard at the next government meeting.

The primary steps to upgrade the tourism industry in the country should be the creation of an optimal regulatory framework for tourism development in accordance with the directives and guidelines of the World Tourism Organization, the introduction of amendments to the law of Ukraine on tourism and resorts, and the development of the necessary technical and national standards, Azarov said.

In addition, he said there was need to develop a strategy and draft of the state target program for the development of tourism and resorts for the period until 2023.