Developing tourism together: Poltava University of Economics and Trade brings together the best experts in Ukraine on tourism development

On October 27, 2020, Poltava University of Economics and Trade brought together the best experts of Ukraine in tourism development. Yes, an online seminar “The best cases of regional tourism organizations of Ukraine” was held.

The event became the final part of the Business Support Marathon for the implementation of the Business-Power-Science Program of the Department of Economy and Investment of Poltava City Council.

The event was attended not only by representatives of Poltava, but also other regions. Among the participants: representatives of the tourism and hotel and restaurant business, carriers, museums, theaters, IT companies that use digital products in tourism, souvenir manufacturers and others interested in tourism development.

The event was joined by Vita Klymenko, Director of the Department of Economy and Investment of Poltava City Council.

The seminar was opened by Ivan Liptuga, President of the National Tourism Organization.

It should be noted that the National Tourism Organization (NTO), which includes regional tourism organizations, already operates in Ukraine. NTO of Ukraine has created a special scientific advisory body – the Knowledge Network. Specialists of the Knowledge Network collect and disseminate practical skills for the sustainable development of tourism in Ukraine. It consists of 40 representatives and 25 educational institutions, including Poltava University of Economics and Trade.

Ivan Liptuga presented the concept of the National Tourist Organization and noted the role of regional and local tourist organizations in the development of the region as a tourist. Elaborations on creation of regional and local tourist organizations of Poltava region which will become the driver of development of the region are shown.

Yanina Barybina, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of Poltava University of Economics and Trade, Regional Coordinator for Green Ways Ukraine, said the need for tourism development in Poltava region, leadership in tourism based on the interpretation of cultural and natural heritage, but subject to cooperation, coordination, collaboration and communication between government, business, education and the public sector.

Afterwards, presentations of the best cases of tourist regional organizations began.

Taras Kovalchuk, Adviser to the Mayor on Tourism Development, Ternopil, presenting the tourist benefits of the city, noted the benefits of combining business for the development of the city.

Kateryna Lytvyn, Head of the Tourism and Promotion Department of the Chernihiv City Council, shared her experience of mutually beneficial cooperation between the city authorities and all those interested in creating quality tourist products.

Anna Koleda, Head of the Tourism Department of the Dnipro Development Agency of the Dnipro City Council, Chairman of the Dnipro Tourism Association, motivated all participants with her presentation and shared the successful experience of commercialization of tourist facilities in the city of Dnipro.

Pavlo Biletsky, President of “Kherson Tourism”, co-founder of the Center for Tourism and Adventures ХЕРСon (Kherson), called on the business community to diversify its activities through tourism and find common vectors for stakeholders.

All speakers noted the need to develop domestic tourism, the creation of local tourism products, especially in terms of COVID-19.

Olena Motuzenko, National Expert of the European Union Project “Support to the Development of Geographical Indications in Ukraine”, presented the possibilities of gastronomic tourism in Poltava region, based on the projects “Wine and Taste Roads of Bessarabia”, “Wine and Taste Roads of Transcarpathia”.

At the end of the event, all participants discussed the prospects for the development of the regional tourism organization of Poltava region, opportunities and prospects for cooperation between government, business, education and the public sector.

During the event, all participants had the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers. After the forum, all participants received electronic certificates and information materials.

We will add that Poltava University of Economics and Trade constantly offers educational programs at the request of tourism business and has already held a series of events: School of guides PUET, trainings for the tourism sector with the support of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, training “Strengthening tourism business through cultural and natural heritage (creation of interpretation programs) “.