April 2009
Government-Business-Community dialogue for tourism development in Ivano-Frankivsk Region
The tourism industry is a priority area for Ivano-Frankivsk regional economy. The Regional Council adopted a Strategy on Tourism Development and Marketing of the region in February, 2007.
In May 2008, the Regional Tourist and Information Centre launched a “Government-Business-Community Dialogue” project supported by the US Embassy in Ukraine, Department for press, education, and culture. Its goal is to establish a favourable environment for reforming the management of the tourism industry by building an efficient inter-sector dialogue.
The project plans to survey local governments activities related to tourism development; identify the role of professional associations and NGOs in tourism industry management; apply the experience obtained during US study tours for developing recommendations on reforming the management of the industry; introduce inter-sector cooperation by strengthening the role of the RTI partner network in the Region.
Hotel and B&B owners, restaurateurs, and NGO representatives from Ivano-Frankivsk Region – the total of 10 participants – went on a study tour to the USA in May, 2008.
During a three-week tour the participants from Ivano-Frankivsk, Yaremche, Verkhovyna, Kolomyia, and Nadvirna districts had an opportunity to learn about the activities of higher schools that offer programs in tourism; they visited tourist and information centres, hotels, recreational facilities, camping sites, and restaurants. The delegation members learned about the methods of involving the representatives from various community sectors to developing holiday tours and tourist products, and making the best se of tourist attractions and local peculiarities for creating a positive image of a tourist destination.
The project plans to use and disseminate the experience of the study tour participants for reforming the tourism industry management by building an efficient dialogue between all the sectors of the community. Other plans include establishing a permanent independent expert council; developing a partner network of local tourist information centres; holding a number of round tables; preparing recommendations on citizen involvement into the decision-making process.
The Regional Tourist and Information Centre invites tourist operators and travel agencies, catering and cultural facilities, tourist centres, hotels and guesthouses to express their opinion on the priority measures that need to be taken in the region. All their proposals and recommendations will be taken into account when developing programs both for the local governments and related NGOs.
Proposals can be sent to the Regional Tourist and Information Centre (4a, Halytska Street, Ivano-Frankivsk, 76004; tel./fax 0342 502474; e-mail:
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