Crimean Prime Minister Anatoly Mogilev has said it is necessary to attract private investors to fund state-run health centers that operate inefficiently, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.
Tourism industry experts say the peninsula has a great recreational potential. The unique nature and the healthy marine climate have been attracting tourists to the Crimea for almost 150 years. Tourism and spa treatment are the leading directions of the regional economy's development.
Experts note that the realization of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) tourist potential is restrained by a large number of resorts owned by the state and trade unions. Many of them are located on the beachfront in the picturesque locations. However, most of them are unprofitable, in a dilapidated condition and their level of service corresponds to the middle of the last century. In this condition they are not able to carry on a profitable business. In fact, their operation, at best, is only beneficial for the heads of such recreational centers, who use the remaining benefits of their ideal location.
It is obvious that in order to modernize the infrastructure of health centers and improve the quality of their service, private investors with specific investment commitments must come there. At the same time such institutions should retain the status of "health resort."
Experts say state and trade unions should benefit from holding annual tenders where they will be able to purchase health and spa treatment services from such health resorts. Experts are confident that due to the transparent tendering involving health centers with appropriate conditions and with a good reputation, the budget and trade union funds can be used much more efficiently. This will enable to provide a greater number of people eligible for such a resort and health care with vacation packages.
According to Crimea's Ministry of Resorts and Tourism, more than 7 million people in 2012 visited official institutions of the peninsula. This represents an increase of 7% from 2011. In the first 9 months of 2013 the number of tourists visiting Crimea reached 5.6 million people. In September 2013, 681,000 people vacationed in the Crimea, which is down 7.6% from September 2012 (737,000). Experts say abnormally bad weather conditions were the reason for the decrease of the tourists flow in Crimea in September.
