Ukrainian tourism sector seizes opportunities to win Chinese market

As more and more Chinese are turning to Ukraine thanks to the eased visa policy introduced last year, the East European country is seizing opportunities to win the Chinese market, the largest outbound tourism market around the world.

The number of Chinese visitors to Ukraine rose to a 10-year-high in 2016 thanks to the liberalization of the visa regime, under which Chinese tourists can obtain a visa on arrival in two Ukrainian airports -- in the capital city of Kiev and in the southern Black Sea resort of Odessa.

Ukrainian statistics showed a record of 20,555 Chinese citizens visited the country last year compared with 13,602 visitors a year ago and the number is expected to further increase in 2017.

First step to attract more tourists

A Ukraine-China tourism forum organized by the Hospitality Industry Association of Ukraine was held in Kiev this week, marking the first step to promote Ukrainian tourism.

At the forum, more than 20 leading Ukrainian travel agencies presented their programs aimed at luring Chinese tourists.

Yanina Gavrylova, chairperson of All-Ukrainian Guides Association, said that Ukraine has a lot to offer Chinese tourists, from traditional sightseeing trips to unique thematic tours.

"Ukraine has several aspects that are of Chinese tourists' interest -- culture, history and gastronomy. Also, we could offer the so-called dark tourism -- visits to Chernobyl, World War II facilities and industrial facilities," Gavrylova told Xinhua.

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant, located some 110 km away from the Ukrainian capital Kiev, witnessed one of the worst nuclear accidents in human history on April 26, 1986. The disaster has caused irreparable damage to the local environment and public health.

To make trips in Ukraine completely comfortable, the East European country is preparing high-skilled Chinese-speaking tour guides, Gavrylova said.

To become a guide, Ukrainians who knows the Chinese language or Chinese nationals living in Ukraine are undergoing professional training lasting at least three months, she added.