Since the beginning of 2019, more than 4 million tourists have visited Crimea, which is 11% higher than in 2018. This was announced by the Minister of Resorts and Tourism of the region Vadim Volchenko.
“The number of visitors, which is the main indicator of the success of the season, continues to grow. As of August 1, we have more than four million guests. The growth trend remains at 11% compared to last year, which was recognized as a record for the entire post-Soviet history, ”RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.
According to Volchenko, in Crimea recorded a high load of hotels and pensions. So, on average, it is 80%, and in some areas exceeds 90%, he said.
According to statistics presented on the website of the Ministry of Tourism of the Crimea, the southern coast became the most popular destination for tourists - 47.6% of those who arrived on the peninsula chose it as a place to stay.
State Duma deputy from the Republic of Crimea Ruslan Balbek believes that the key trend on the peninsula is not an increase in the number of places in hotels and pensions, but the modernization of tourist infrastructure.
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“The peninsula, without a doubt, can accept a certain number of tourists so that they are comfortable, rather than pushing their backs and standing in lines. This is exactly what I consider to be the main direction in which the tourism business is developing, ”the parliamentarian said in an interview with RT.
“I would not predict further records. The main thing is that visitors to the Crimea should have a pleasant and comfortable rest, ”the deputy concluded.
Nearly 7 million people in 2018
Recall that in 2018, 6.8 million people visited Crimea. The highest rate in the history of the peninsula was established in 1988 and amounted to 8.3 million people.
Most tourists arrived on the peninsula through the Crimean bridge - 58% of the total, according to the website of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic. About a third, 29%, chose air transport. Another 13% for the rest in Crimea crossed the border of Russia and Ukraine.
In July, it was reported that since the beginning of the summer of this year, more than 1 million cars have passed along the Crimean bridge. So, in June, traffic intensity increased by 13% compared to 2018. The movement itself on the bridge began in May - in total, more than 6 million cars have passed since then.
In addition, by the end of the year the railway part of the Crimean bridge will be commissioned. The start of train traffic is expected on December 9-10, 2019. According to preliminary information, tickets can be bought 45 days before the launch of the trains themselves, in October.
According to the head of the Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, direct tax revenues to the regional budget from the tourism sector this year amounted to 1.4 billion rubles. He said that compared to 2018, this figure has increased by 25%.
“The main source of income in the summer is the holiday season. 1 billion and 460 million rubles received direct tax revenues to the budget of the Republic of Crimea, which is 25% higher than last year's figures, ”RIA Novosti quotes him.
A deputy of the State Council of the Republic of Crimea Vladislav Ganzhara in an interview with RT noted that since 2014, an annual increase in tourist flow has been recorded in the Republic of Crimea.
“Last year, a post-Soviet record was set. This was due to the fact that the construction of the first part of the Crimean bridge was completed. This greatly affected the availability of Crimea for tourists. As for the tourist flow this year, it is very active, ”said the parliamentarian.
He mentioned that along with this, the number of tourists from Ukraine who travel to the peninsula in spite of the position of Kiev is growing.
“The number of tourists coming from Ukraine has increased. Despite all the aggressive Ukrainian politics, the people who live there see Crimea for themselves as a summer vacation destination, ”said Ganzhara.
According to the parliamentarian, a new record for the number of tourists in Crimea will be broken in the coming year, when it will be possible to come to the peninsula by rail.
“It will be possible to fly to the Crimea by plane, by train. From the point of view of rail transportation, we know that this is the most affordable transport and is associated with a large numerical indicator of passenger traffic. And when the Crimea around itself closes all three rings of its logistic accessibility, I think we will see a new uniquely post-Soviet record, ”Ganzhara concluded.