Over the past decade, tourism has experienced unprecedented growth, becoming one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy. Tourism stimulates other sectors of the economy, such as transport, communications, trade and construction, and is a catalyst for socio-economic development.
An important online webinar, ‘Creating Tourism in the Deoccupied Territories of Donetsk Region,’ brought together representatives of local authorities, civil society organisations and individuals interested in restoring the region's tourism potential. The event provided a platform for discussing strategic approaches and practical steps for restoring Donetsk Oblast as an attractive tourist destination after Ukraine's victory.
During the webinar, participants focused on a number of key issues necessary for the effective launch of recovery processes. Even before the full-scale invasion, Donetsk region was actively developing domestic tourism, with access to the Sea of Azov, unique natural parks (such as the Holy Mountains National Nature Park) and a rich industrial and historical and cultural heritage. It was emphasised that these resources remain the basis for future development.
Participants discussed the devastating impact of the war on tourism infrastructure and the importance of restoring territories through the development of various types of tourism after the de-occupation of communities. Special attention was also paid to the issues of demining and ensuring safety as prerequisites for any tourism activity.
The speakers emphasised the need to adapt tourism products to current realities, including the development of military tourism and the creation of new routes that would tell the story of the region's resilience and struggle.
The next steps in the communities should be: creating effective algorithms for tourism development, systematising data on preserved tourist sites and infrastructure, and forming specific project proposals for further investment attraction.
Summarising the results of the webinar, the organisers and participants determined that the restoration of tourism in the de-occupied territories of Donetsk Oblast is not only an economic tool but also an important element in the region's return to the socio-cultural space of post-war Ukraine.
The event is a kind of signal to unite efforts around a common goal — to revive Donetsk Oblast as a region open to the world and full of new opportunities.