Poll measures attitudes toward Euro 2012.
Foreigners and Ukrainians alike choose Kyiv as their favorite Euro 2012 destination.
Yet the capital’s residents are the least enthusiastic and second least likely of the four host cities to be hospitable to foreign visitors, a recent study says.
A nationwide poll of Ukrainians conducted in June and released recently by market research firm GfK Ukraine, revealed that 84 percent of Kyivans embrace next year’s European soccer championship that is being co-hosted along with four Polish cities.
The poll surveyed residents in all four Ukrainian host cities as well as foreigners visiting Ukraine.
Residents in two eastern Ukrainian cities hosting games, Donetsk and Kharkiv, as well as Lviv, the nation’s largest city in the west, were slightly more enthusiastic: 89, 87 and 86 percent, respectively.
Donetsk and Lviv residents will be the most hospitable toward foreigners, with 55 and 54 percent respectively, saying they’re willing to speak with and assist foreigners in their cities.
Despite approval running high, three-quarters of Ukrainians believe the impact that the soccer tournament will have on Ukraine will exceed tournament-related expenses and possible losses.
The poll surveyed residents in all four Ukrainian host cities as well as foreigners visiting Ukraine.
By the same token, 66 percent of Ukrainians fear that government investments in Euro 2012 will be stolen.
Only a quarter of respondents think the government won’t recuperate its investments.
Ukraine is definitely on the radar of foreigners.
A whopping 93 percent of foreign visitors to Ukraine are aware that the nation will co-host the tournament.
Most foreigners – 55 percent – think the event will make Ukraine better known the world.
But only one of the 1,008 polled foreigners thought Ukraine will draw nearer to Europe as a result of hosting the soccer event.
“Foreignguestsdon’t want or don’t believe in this prospect,” said Inna Volosevych, senior analyst with GfK Ukraine.
By contrast, Lviv residents chose European integration as the biggest outcome.
Kyiv and Kharkiv residents expect Ukraine to benefit from a higher global profile. Donetsk residents see infrastructure upgrades as the biggest achievement.
Lviv was the highest with 23 percent of residents wishing to visit fan zones whereas 13 percent of Kyiv residents said they’ll visit the fan areas.
The 51 percent of foreigners who plan on attending Euro 2012 matches chose Kyiv as their top destination, presumably because the capital will host the quarter-final and final matches, in addition to three group-stage matches, GfK observed.
The picturesque city of Lviv, blessed with beautiful architecture, a caf? culture and cobblestoned streets, was next on foreigners’ list with 30 percent, GfK said.
The industrial city of Kharkiv was the least favored destination among foreigners and Ukrainians alike, 25 and 20 percent respectively.
Not many host city residents said they’ll visit fan zones, large public areas set aside for entertainment complete with large-screen TVs, souvenir shops and other amenities, during the tournament.
Lviv was the highest with 23 percent of residents wishing to visit fan zones whereas 13 percent of Kyiv residents said they’ll visit the fan areas.
Thirty percent of Ukrainians believe their national team will make it to the Euro 2012 finals.
Donetsk residents are the most optimistic among the host cities with 29 percent of hopefuls. Lviv and Kyiv residents are the least hopeful with 20 percent foreseeing their team playing for the Henri Delaunay Cup.
Kyiv Post staff writer Mark Rachkevych can be reached at [email protected].
