The European Tourism Commission (ETC) has announced that it has decided to invite the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine (SATD) to join the organization with a free three-year membership. .
In a May 19 statement, the ETC also said the decision was taken at the 103rd General Assembly held May 18-20 in Ljubljana, hosted by the Slovenian Tourist Board, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“This meeting brought together CEOs of National Tourism Authorities (NTOs) from across Europe and ETC Associate Members from the private sector. Mariana Oleskiv, President of SATD, joined the General Assembly remotely as guest of honour,” read the statement.
Usually, STAD works to promote and popularize Ukrainian tourism in domestic and foreign markets. However, given the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, SATD’s work program has changed dramatically.
In this regard, STAD President Mariana Oleskiv shared first-hand knowledge about the devastating impact of the ongoing war on the travel industry in Ukraine.
At the same time, she said the agency provides information on the current situation in Ukraine, coordinates the efforts of the Ukrainian tourist community to organize evacuations and temporary shelters, as well as job opportunities for tourism professionals. industry in safe areas.
The ETC expressed its solidarity with Ukraine at the general assembly, where its national members also voted in favor of extending ETC complementary membership to the SATD.
ETC explained that membership is offered free of charge for at least three years, depending on geopolitical circumstances, with the aim of welcoming Ukraine into the organization on a permanent basis.
“This engagement will see ETC support the Ukrainian tourism agency by providing access to all of its resources and research data. It is hoped that with this membership, SATD will be better placed to help develop a strategy for the recovery of the Ukrainian travel sector once the war is over,” the statement also noted.
Ukraine’s tourism support is also in line with ETC’s ongoing missions to strengthen and promote Europe as a destination in foreign markets and establish tourism value for European destinations through cooperation. .
He also pointed out that the conflict is already affecting neighboring European countries with Ukraine and Russia and European destinations that depend on tourists visiting the two regions.
Moreover, commenting on the decision of the ETC, its chairman said that the European Tourism Commission remained firm in its condemnation of the Russian military occupation of Ukraine, adding that the basic principle of the ETC was to promote travel as a catalyst for peace, understanding, and respect.
According to him, the expansion of free membership in the State Agency for the Development of Tourism of Ukraine is an act of solidarity.
Among other things, SATD President Mariana Oleskiv also pointed out that in these terrible times, when the country and the industry are under attack, it is encouraging to receive such strong support from partners across the Europe.
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