EU will invested in the development of tourism in the Crimea and Sevastopol 5 million euros

European Union is planning to implement in the Crimea project to support tourism development, reports Resort and Information Centre of the ARC.

Customer of the project is the EU delegation in Ukraine. The aim of the project - to assist in the diversification of tourism in the Crimea and Sevastopol, the creation of an attractive tourist product, based on the use of the unique potential of the territory. The project consists of 3 blocks of activities: institutional development, improvement of service quality and management of tourism facilities, diversify and increase the attractiveness of the tourist product.

Thus, in the first block of the European Union together with the Ministry of Resorts and Tourism of the Crimea plan to create a single, regularly updated online catalog of tourist attractions of Crimea, travel products and services, accommodation facilities. Also, the EU intends to assist in the development of not less than 4 integrated tourism development plans for cities with populations of less than 100 thousand inhabitants. In addition, the EU plans to support the creation of an alliance of the Crimean tourist associations and support existing associations and business clusters. In addition, the first block involves the analysis and, where necessary, improve the tourism development strategy in the Crimea, to study the possibility of the Council on the development of tourism in the Crimea, which would be responsible for promoting a unified tourist product of the Crimean peninsula on the international market.

The second unit is expected to create a center for curriculum development and coordination of training activities for development of tourism in the Crimea, to conduct training sessions for employees in the tourism sector and related industries.

Third, the most extensive array aimed at improving the quality of the Crimean tourism products. In particular, the EU will assist the Crimean authorities in developing a 10-year plan for reforming the recreational sector, to create not less than 4 attractive tourist packages in the development of 5-year plan to equip the Crimean tourist signs. In addition, the EU will consider the possibility of establishing a Small Grants Fund to support small businesses in the tourism sector.

Project will be implemented within 3 years. The total budget is EUR 5 million, of which - 3.4 million euros will be spent on technical assistance, 1.5 million euros - for the purchase of necessary equipment, 50 thousand euros - to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the project. The contractor will be determined through a tender in which can take part in both Ukrainian and foreign companies.

As reported in the presentation of the technical task to draft first adviser on economic, social and regional development of the EC Delegation to Ukraine Jose Roman Laura Leon, the project is one component of the program "Joint initiative to support the development of the Crimea", financed by the European Union. "Tourism is a complex sector. Today it is impossible to focus on local tourism, we must think globally as we compete with other tourist regions. The authorities of Ukraine and Crimea understand it. I hope that soon we will see the results of this project "- said the expert.

In turn, the first deputy minister of resorts and tourism of Crimea, Alexander Liev noted that in previous years, tourism has unjustly occupied an insignificant place in the economy of the Crimea. So, according to him, the share of tourism revenues in the national budget was approximately 6%. In this regard, said Mr. Lie, the Government of the Crimea has identified as one of the main priorities of the Strategy of development of the Crimea until 2020 reform of health resort and tourist industry. "We are committed to European standards and understand the role of the Crimea in the Black Sea area. We also understand that our role will be void if we do not pass the world standards. In this regard we welcome the initiative of the European Union and the UN are grateful for the support of our undertakings ", - said A. Liev.

According to the developers, technical project to project is planned to formally adopt as early as May, but the beginning of the project is scheduled for December 2011 yanvar2012 year.