Tigipko: Cabinet working on programs for development of tourism and Ukrainian ports

The government will soon present a program for the development of tourism and Ukrainian ports, Vice Prime Minister Sergiy Tigipko said, when visiting state enterprise Sevastopol maritime merchant port.

He noted that Crimea and Odesa region have a great tourism potential and high-quality road and energy infrastructure is needed for its development.

"After the success of Euro 2012 in Ukraine the issue of investment in tourism infrastructure is very relevant. Ukraine's image has improved, hundreds of thousands people came and were pleasantly surprised by the level of service and culture. Therefore we need a powerful program to develop the tourism potential of the country from western Ukraine to the south-east," said Tigipko.

According to him, it is necessary to develop port infrastructure not only in the direction of increasing cargo handling capacities but also in terms of cruise tourism.

"Today Odesa is able to receive large cruise ships, but this is not enough. It is necessary that large passenger liners could go to the Black Sea and pass three or four points, where a program would be organized for tourists," Tigipko said.

In his view, we need investment in expanding berths in Yalta and Sevastopol. Tigipko also noted that to develop the cruise potential of Ukrainian ports it is necessary to attract public investment, as well as use public and private partnership.