Tourist flows to Kyiv January through September 2014 fell by 40 percent year-over-year, to 1 million people, First Deputy Head of Kyiv City Administration's tourism department Yevhen Hanhanov told Interfax-Ukraine.
“About one million tourists visited Kyiv in the nine months, which was 40 percent down from last year. We’ve got fewer tourists this year. We’re doing our best to attract them and make them come here again. As you know, many countries recommend their citizens not to come here because of the current political situation in the country. And as soon as such recommendations are given, we have to offer what could get tourists interested in and come to the capital of Ukraine again,” he said.
The Kyiv authorities jointly with tour operators are now about to complete the development of themed tours, including shopping and gourmet trips, Hanhanov said.
“This will be the beginning of these gourmet and shopping trips, which are now being developed jointly with tour operators to attract tourists. In particular, gourmet trips will be arranged with the participation of several restaurants under special programs to avoid the stereotype that Kyiv offers Chicken Kiev only – there will be very interesting dishes, which will have something to interest tourists who go to different countries on gourmet trips,” he said.
Kyiv will also offer shopping trips for foreign tourists. “The cost of such a trip will include shopping at chosen stores, an accommodation discount system, and city tours so that tourists could learn about our culture, architecture, and see the city,” he said.
A list of companies participating in Kyiv’s gourmet and shopping tourist programs is being drawn up now, and will be presented soon, he added.
