Odessa region in the south of Ukraine is expected to have 10% increase in tourism. The flow of travellers will grow significantly, compared to 2017, local authorities believe.

More tourists are expected to visit Odessa in 2018

This city is situated on the Black Sea coast and is very popular among travellers. It’s the best seaside location in the country, without a doubt.

“5.7 million tourists visited Odessa region in 2017. This year we’re expecting to host 6.3 million tourists. The visitors of our city are attracted not only by the Black Sea. The popularity of gastronomic and ecotourism is on the rise. There is one direction we try to focus on – it’s wellness tourism,” the governor of Odessa region Maxim Stepanov stated.

The majority of visitors are Ukrainians who come primarily from Kiev and Lviv. Foreign visitors are mostly residents of Moldova, Belarus (two former USSR republics), as well as Romania, Israel, Turkey, Germany, Georgia, and Philippines.

As Stepanov stated, most tourists come for the beach and the sea. Most people spend about a week for a vacation like this. But local authorities would like visitors to spend more time and money holidaying in the region. The governor hopes that development of wellness tourism will keep visitors for longer, Finance.ua reported.

Kuyalnik estuary is the main source of mineral waters and muds in the region and the authorities plan to make this area a destination for wellness travelers by developing health resorts. These changes could make Odessa popular not only for its beaches and historic sights, but also as a wellness tourism spot, the governor hopes.

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