Crimean Resorts and Tourism Ministry working on development of medical and event tourism
Kyiv, August 29 (Interfax-Ukraine) - The main efforts of the Crimean Resorts and Tourism Ministry are now focused on the development of medical and event tourism, which will help expand the scope of the holiday season, Crimean Resorts and Tourism Minister Oleksandr Liyev said at a press conference at Interfax Ukraine on Wednesday.
"The key focus is on the development of medical and event tourism. With their assistance, Crimea can fully compete with other tourist destinations, and their development can largely help resolve the problem of a short holiday season," he said.
He said that all holiday regions on the peninsula have seen growth in the number of tourists in spring and autumn, and this growth is especially noticeable in the sanatorium complex. For example, in March- April 2013, the number of those who holidayed in Crimea grew by 17.8% compared to the same period in 2012. In particular, 176,400 tourists vacationed in Crimea from April 28 to May 12, 2013, which was 29.5% more than during the May holidays in 2012 (136,200 people). This winter 100,000 tourists visited Crimea, or 20% more than last winter.
Liyev said that in general, five million people had visited the peninsula since the beginning of 2013, which is a similar number to the same period last year.
Beach holidays remain the most popular form of recreation in Crimea. This year there are 573 beaches on the peninsula, including 80 medical beaches, 88 recreation beaches, 72 children's beaches, and 333 beaches of general purpose. Entry is free to 350 beaches.
"It's worth noting that in 2009, there were 64 beaches in Crimea with a free entry for all visitors, in 2010 - 78, in 2011 - 202, and in 2012 - 333," the minister said.
This year, ten Crimean beaches received Blue Flag certificates - as an indication of their high environmental and quality standards: five of them in Yalta and five in Yevpatoria. Nationwide, 12 beaches in Ukraine received Blue Flag certificates.
Liyev said that trains are the most popular mode of transport for tourists traveling to Crimea. From June 1 to August 31, 2013, Prydniprovska Railways put on five year-round and six summer trains, offering 739,440 seats to passengers.
At the same time, over the last three years the number of tourists arriving in Crimea by aircraft has grown by 10-15%. As of August 1 this year, the number of passengers transported by air grew by 9.9%, whereas the figure in 2012 was 15.8%.
This year, the ports signed contracts to accept and service more than 100 foreign vessels and 16 vessels flying the Ukrainian flag, which was 34% more than last year. In 2012, Crimea received 79 foreign and 15 domestic cruise ships.