On March 9, the Governmental Committee chaired by First Vice Prime Minister/ Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv approved draft amendments to the decrees of the Cabinet  Ministers of Ukraine No. 117 and № 710 which will enable to allocate funding from the state budget for Ukraine to participate in the international and national trade fairs in tourism sphere , as well as the preliminary defrayal  for goods, activities and services purchased  at budget resources  connected with the participation in aforementioned activities.

“The global information arena is lacking up-to-date and relevant information concerning tourism opportunities of Ukraine. The deficiency of quality marketing activities have adversely affected an image of Ukraine and led to an acute decline in the volume of tourism flows. It is crucial to enhance the interest to Ukraine as a tourism destination, it is a vital component of the informational policy and promotion of the interests of Ukraine abroad”, commented on the decision of the Government Committee Stepan Kubiv.

According to him, the restrictions concerning funding from the general fund of the state budget aimed to hold trade fairs completely inhibits the implementation by the Ministry  of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine of further steps to enhance the development of the inbound tourism which is viewed a priority direction for Ukraine. As for now, the Ministry  of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine geared up a list of 15 topmost exhibition events in the tourism sector to be placed at the national stand of Ukraine.

“Last year nearly 600 thousand people visited similar exhibitions. Each visitor is a potential tourist who is willing to spend in average not less than EUR 500 on a journey lasting 3-5 days. The European countries have been long practicing state financial support policy on joint international marketing activities in the tourism area, because it facilitates drawing funds in the economy of the country”, stressed Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Mykhailo Titarchuk responsible for the tourism in the Ministry.

The approved draft amendments will be soon submitted for consideration by the Government.