The ministry's press service said that the Cabinet of Ministers had made the relevant changes to the regulations governing the ministry, Ukrinform reports.

"Despite all the challenges, Ukraine has enormous potential for tourism development. By traveling around our country, people discover its culture, history, cities, nature and people. Tourism can become an important tool for regional recovery, community development and local entrepreneurship. Together with the State Agency for Tourism Development, we will develop a comprehensive state policy to help develop tourism products and infrastructure and increase international interest in Ukraine," said Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna.

Under its updated mandate, the Culture Ministry will work on a number of key areas in tourism. These include maintaining records of Ukraine's tourism resources and ensuring their rational use and protection; participating in the development of programs to equip transport routes with tourism infrastructure; conducting tourism market research and disseminating information about Ukraine and its tourism potential; establishing a list of positions for tourism guides and accompanying specialists and qualification requirements for them; and approving and implementing forecasting and policy documents on tourism and resorts.

The government has also updated the system for coordinating central executive bodies: the State Agency for Tourism Development will now be directed and coordinated through the Culture Ministry.

As reported earlier, the State Agency for Tourism Development was previously directed and coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers through the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development.

Photo: Culture Ministry