International seminar dedicated to modern trends of urban tourism took place in Odessa

70 tourism experts from different cities of Ukraine and Serbia, Austria and Germany took part in the International seminar on modern city tourism development trends. On December 7, 2012, Odessa hosted an international seminar dedicated to the current trends of urban tourism development. The seminar was organized by the initiative of the Municipal Culture and Tourism Dept in cooperation with the "Tourism Odessa" Association.

The seminar was aimed at experience exchange between tourist organizations of the European Union, as well as at the analysis of the views on the tourism industry, the extent and level of hospitality of our city.

"Tourism has taken the important place in modern society. For millions of people it is an active form of recreation and a healthy way of life, the knowledge of the world, and introduction to the cultural valuesof different civilizations. By its tourism and recreational potential, our city is one of the leading ones in Ukraine. In Odessa, 160 hotels in the city can accommodate nearly 9,000 tourists. The quantity of hotels has increased by five times during 2005-2012. The accretion of visitors has increased by 12% in 2009-2011. This demonstrates that tourst Odessa has actively integrated into the global tourism industry", - emphasized Tatyana Markova, Culture and Tourism Dept Director.

"There came a time when the cities as tourist centers do compete globally. The winners are those who understand the full range of urban development in the interests of its citizens in a multifaceted combination of economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects. This can only be achieved through good governance and consolidation of all tourism players, and hospitality ", - emphasized the president of "Tourism Odessa" Association Ivan Liptuga.

Adapted from: Official site of Odessa city