Comments and views of author - emphasis on Ukraine
Istanbul, Turkey - a city straddling 2 continents, was
the perfect site for a conference to promote tourist development
in the Eurasian region. Particularly interesting was the
fact that the former Soviet block nations were heavily
represented and showed a willingness and readiness to
develop tourism.
Countries like Armenia, even though small in population,
provided interesting concepts in the possible development
of heritage based tourism and eco-tourism. Hotel projects
dominated this area's development. Azerbaijan on the other
hand focused on infrastructure projects but also provided
an interesting ski development concept. Georgia, the third
country in the South Caucasus region is still burdened
with internal conflicts but is also concentrating on infrastructure.
Interestingly, Armenia is particularly interested in having
Georgia as a stable neighbor so that its own tourism industry
can develop.
At the other end of the Eurasian region, Kazakhstan,
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic
expressed concern about the Afghanistan problem but were
pleased about the stabilizing influence of U.S. troops
in the region which several of these countries now host.
Tourism projects include hotels, yacht clubs, marinas,
resorts, etc but mainly infrastructure projects such as
roads and airport developments.
Russia presented 9 projects ranging from aqua parks to
hotels to airport reconstruction with several projects
in the mega-dollar range. Ukraine followed with 7 projects
in the hotel, yacht club/marina, and a golf resort development.
Moldova only had a small family recreation project.
Turkey, the host nation, offered 23 projects for investment
encompassing all the various types of projects presented
by all the other countries.
Overall the projects presented were modest in terms of
hotel and resort development seen in other areas of the
world. For example if we were to combine all the projects
of all the nations represented, their total value would
not reach the cost of building the Atlantis Resort in
Paradise Island in the Bahamas. However one or two projects
proposed by Turkey and Russia were definitely ambitious.
The site of the conference, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in
Istanbul, certainly provided an example of what a resort
or tourist hotel could ever hope to achieve. In the meanwhile,
the conference, organized by the MFM group with The Louis
Berger Group, and Sponsored by the U.S. Trade and Development
agency with Bechtel International and Parsons Brinckerhoff,
certainly spared no expense in making the presenters and
the potential investors feel welcome and anxious to continually
participate in the presentations.
Glaringly lacking however, were "investors" from the
USA, Europe, and other industrialized nations. Other than
the government sponsored or government supported investment
groups such as OPIC, EBRD, World Bank, and The Eurasia
Foundation, there were only a handful of major investors
such as Marriott with the rest being from Turkey. Very
few investors were interested in Ukraine even though Ukraine
provided one of the largest groups of participants at
the conference. During the "one on one" meetings, the
tables occupied by the Ukrainian project representatives
were devoid of investor-guests.
The most obvious reason for lack of investment interest
in countries like Ukraine is the lack of promotion of
tourism by Ukraine's government and specifically tourist
agencies. In addition cited problems areas included difficulties
with immigration, visa, and customs controls at points
of entry into Ukraine. Lack of confidence and lack of
written and visual information about Ukraine and Ukraine's
potential were also contributing factors.
If Ukraine is serious about tourism, it has to make a
concerted effort to promote tourism, not only in speeches
and empty promises, but in actions. It must provide reasonable
and comfortable hotel accommodations in existing facilities.
It must allow for tourism-related activities such as golf,
skiing, water sports, etc to develop. I should promote
concepts such as heritage and "eco" tourism. (Incidentally
-Ukraine possesses some of the oldest historical areas
in Eurasia and some of the most unique ecological centers
in all of Europe - particularly in the Carpathian Mountains).
But above all, it should make it easier, not more difficult,
for tourist oriented facilities to flourish.
Our groups own experience shows how difficult it is to
develop a project that would not only bring tourists but
other investors to Ukraine. For 7 years we have tried
to develop the first golf resort in Ukraine and have been
hindered at every junction. Tourism and construction officials
in Turkey and other countries were amazed when we described
our quest and simply could not believe or understand the
reasons for such hindrances. The most positive aspect
of the conference was exposure of the potentials of the
region to the rest of the world. Every little step helps.
In the words of TDA officials, "tourism can bring understanding
between nations and lessen the likelihood of conflicts
and wars".
EDITOR'S NOTE Mr. Prochorenko is a General Director
of Golden Gate Golf Club which, in association with Pro-W
Ukraine, is developing an 18-27 hole golf course with
resort amenities at Koncha Zaspa approximately 25 km from
Kyiv.)
