On the Day of Tourism, 27 September, the conference "Tourism of Transcarpathia under martial law: current challenges and search for solutions" was held in the Uzhhorod castle.
The two panel discussions were attended by academics, tourism experts, tour guides, representatives of the hotel, restaurant, health resort and travel agency business.
"Today we are trying to take a comprehensive approach to the functioning of the tourism sector in Zakarpattia. How is the industry developing during the war, what does it expect in the future? Together, we will find solutions and listen to everyone involved in the tourism sector," she said, opening the conference, Head of the Tourism and Resorts Department of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration Bohdana Nos.
The first panel discussion moderated by a tourism and hospitality expert, the head of Tourinform Transcarpathia, Oleksandr Koval brought together managers of the hotel, restaurant and resort business.
Many tourist locations in the region have reoriented themselves during the war and are now operating as social institutions. For example, Geleta, a popular slow-cooked restaurant from Selyska Cheese Factory, was closed and began serving free meals to IDPs.
"We are currently working with various volunteer foundations to help people find accommodation for the winter. We plan to build a shelter that can accommodate about 30 IDPs. For the time being, this housing will be free of charge and will be intended for the most needy IDPs," said manager restaurant Slow food from the Selyshche Cheese Factory "Geleta" by Inna Pryhara.
He spoke about the importance of the restaurant business in wartime Valentin Shtefanyo, founder of the Valentin & Valentina Shtefanyo brand and confectioneries:
"Every person who works during the war benefits the state. This is a healthy economic rear, which is very important for the country and our defenders."
"The Covid years taught the restaurant business to be flexible and adapt to new rules and challenges. So, when we faced the war, our work was stabilised and ready for the next change in the rules," said Evelina Sira, director of the Grant restaurant.
"Tourism activities and excursion products under martial law" was the topic of the second panel of the conference, moderated by a tourism expert, Oleksandr Shershun, head of the Association of Transcarpathian Tourist Support Specialists.
The participants were the head of the Magellan travel agency Melita Rishko, Director of the travel company MUSE travel Inessa Izay, guide, organiser of mountain hikes, head of the tourist information centre of Rakhiv district Yuriy Sas, acting director of the Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Local Lore named after T. Lehotskyi Olga Shumovska and guide, organiser of free tours of Uzhhorod Viktor Opalenyk.
The main challenges faced by the tourism sector are a decrease in requests for excursions to the region and outbound tours, rising costs of tourism products, restrictions on the movement of citizens related to mobilisation, etc. The conference participants agreed to further coordinate joint efforts to continue developing the tourism potential of Transcarpathia, taking into account the challenges of wartime.
Department of Tourism and Resorts of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration
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