OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2013. A Ukrainian delegation has taken part in the global biggest International tourism fair - ITB BERLIN-2013 in Germany. On the estimation of Cologne business school an exposition of Ukraine has entered the top five in Europe category. An official opening of the fair was held with participation of Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. 

“Ukraine is paying a huge attention to the development of national tourism potential. Over the recent years transport, sports and tourist infrastructure was characterized by considerable development which created qualitatively new opportunities of the tourism area,” a Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul told.

He noted that one component of the country’s potential in the world tourism market is the development of unique historical, cultural objects and nature preserves. It should be noted that in the end of this year UNESCO will firstly consider rendering status of world non-material legacy to the unique kind of Ukrainian national art – Petrykivka paintings. “The cultural legacy of the nation will become one more bridge joining Ukraine with the world,” Olexandr Vilkul explained.
Targeting advancement of Ukraine, support of an interest to making tourist trips to Ukraine a tourist potential of the regions of Ukraine was represented at ITB BERLIN-2013. Moreover, a stand devoted to the finals of European Basketball Championship of 2015 was demonstrated in Ukrainian pavilion. The information contained data about cities which are to welcome participants and fans of Eurobasket-2015 and objects of sports infrastructure to be built.

Firstly over 19 years the stand of Ukraine has become the largest with 400 square meters for the whole period of its participation in ITB BERLIN. At the fair there were represented resort and travel opportunities, unique tourist routes of Ukraine.

In an official opening of the stand from Ukraine there took part head of the State Agency for Tourism and Resorts Olena Shapovalova and Advisor-Envoy of the Embassy of Ukraine to Germany Pavlo Popov.

This exhibition is the next step to the recognition of the tourist potential of Ukraine. On the mark of Cologne business school (Best Exhibitor Award, Cologne Business School in Cooperation with ITB) the exposition of Ukraine entered the top five in Europe category.

Cologne Business School in Cooperation with ITB-BERLIN has evaluated ITB exhibitors for the 13-th time. Overall number estimated were over 10 000 stands in 26 halls of the fair. 

As it was informed earlier, on the task given by a Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul a strategy of development of tourist potential of Ukraine is being elaborated. “Ukrainian tourism has to become one of the strategic points of growth,” the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine told.