The Day Weekly Digest in English, Kyiv, Ukraine, February 10, 2004
CARPATHIAN MOUNTAINS AND
LAND OF IVANO-FRANKIVSK
Mountains of Opportunities, Ukrainians begin to cash in on tourism
The land of Ivano-Frankivsk is a
small country of mountains, foothills, and
plains. Lying between the rivers Bystrytsia-Nadvirnianska and
Bystrytsia-Solotvynska, Ivano- Frankivsk originated as the village of
Zabolottia (across the swamp) near Kniahyn and Pasichna and was renamed
Stanislav under Count Pototsky. Old-timers still call it Stanislav.
The Carpathian Mountains, which cover almost half the oblast, run in
two mountain ranges, Horhany with its peak Syvulia (5,964 ft) and
Chornohory with its peak Hoverla (6,762 ft). The land of
Ivano-Frankivsk boasts 3,500 monuments of history and culture protected
by the state. Among the most prominent are the Church of St.
Panteleimon in Shevchenkovo outside Halych, castles in Rakovets and
Chernelytsia, the Maniava Skyt Monastery, and wooden churches in
Vorokhta, Dora, and Kolomyia.
The storied mountain lakes Nesamovyte, Brebeneskul, and Lebedyn are the
true gems of the land. All of these places can be a magnet for
tourists. The most important thing is to spin things the right way.
"Tourism is a strategic direction for our oblast. We will consider the
problem solved only after 40% of the oblast's budget revenues come from
tourism," Ivano-Frankivsk oblast governor Mykhailo Vyshyvaniuk is
convinced. According to statistics, last year for the first time the
oblast's budget received UAH 10 million from tourism. Figures have
always been a more convincing argument than empty phraseology.
The authorities promise a favorable climate for investors. As an
example they cite the fact that last year money for the development of
the region began to trickle from all corners of Ukraine. "We are open
to investment, the nationality and faith of investors notwithstanding.
We would like investment to help create new well-paying jobs in the
oblast," says the governor, adding that "tourism is a complex and
multifaceted sector
involving a thick layer of various problems and unsolved issues.
A common misconception is that tourism is all about building a hotel
with all the amenities. Before this, safe and quality food must be
provided. Tourists want to see the culture and daily life, for which
purpose a great many specialists should be trained, of which there are
extremely few today. Only after accomplishing this can we expect every
guest of ours to spread word about our land." It is possible to put the
officials' words to the test only by seeing everything first hand.
Nature has created the groundwork for the development of tourism. It is
up to those inhabiting this land to develop it. In Ivano-Frankivsk
oblast this process is progressing at a rapid pace. Hotels, recreation
and tourist centers are mushrooming. In recent years several
European-class hotels have been built in the region, which is only the
beginning.
tel.: (03422) 2-38-39, tel. mob.: (067)
943-71-80
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Kryva str. 4A/34, Ivano-Frankivsk,
76018, Ukraine
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òåë.: (03422) 2-38-39,
òåë. ìîá.: (067) 943-71-80
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âóë. Êðèâà 4À/34, ì.
²âàíî-Ôðàíê³âñüê, 76018, Óêðà¿íà
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