Kyiv topped the popularity rating among tourists

The capital of Ukraine topped the international ranking of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe. According to experts, the popularity of Kyiv has increased thanks to Euro 2012. The city authorities are going to maintain the interest of tourists, in particular, by introducing a system of discounts on hotel room accommodation on weekends.

Kyiv took first place in the ranking of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Europe, compiled by the international travel portal TripAdvisor. On this resource, tourists leave their opinions and advice on planning trips, and hotel booking options. TripAdvisor branches exist in 30 countries around the world and receive more than 60 million unique visitors each month.

In the ranking of European cities, Kyiv took first place, ahead of Moscow, Turin, St. Petersburg and Naples, and in the world - third, behind the cities of Mar del Plata (Argentina) and Sao Paulo (Brazil). TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma Shaw said the data shows traveler interest in the city is growing and that tourists are "positive about hotel and restaurant service and entertainment."

Chairman of the Association of Tour Operators of Ukraine Igor Golubakha noted that interest in Kyiv arose due to the successful hosting of Euro 2012. And the president of the All-Ukrainian Youth Hostel Association, Roman Ponomarenko, said that compared to 2011, the occupancy of their room stock increased by 20%. According to Mr. Golubakha, the popularity of the city will be helped to maintain “new approaches to the popularization of Kyiv as a tourist center.” “For example, in the near future a tourist portal will be created with information about discounts offered by Kyiv restaurants and hotels, as well as a calendar of various holidays that tourists can come to,” the expert said.

It should be noted that on November 1, the Kyiv City Council adopted a program for the development of the capital’s tourism industry until 2015. “We are now preparing a promotion “Weekend in Kyiv for half price”. The essence of it is that establishments reduce the cost of rooms on weekends in order to give tourists the opportunity to visit Kyiv for less money. Many hotels have already agreed to this,” said the first deputy chairman of the Kyiv City State Administration Alexander Mazurchak.

The head of the press service of the hotel operator "Premier International" (in Kyiv - the Premier Palace Hotel, the art hotel "Baccarat", "Rus Accord Hotel") Irina Paleva confirmed the interest of the hotels: "But such an initiative should not be limited to hotels. It is also necessary to attract restaurants and entertainment facilities."

A similar discount system has been operating in Lviv for several years. According to the head of the tourism department of the Lviv City Council, Nadezhda Radionenko, thanks to this, during the days of the campaign, local restaurants note an increase in visitors by 50-100%: “It is necessary to maximize the number of hotels, restaurants, shops, beauty salons taking part in such promotions. Projects can be also attract airlines that could develop a certain range of discounts for tourists,” Ms. Radionenko noted.

Irina Lopatina

According to the advice of friends