No. 01/02

of 01/02/2010

To the Chairman of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Volodymyr Lytvyn

To the Prime-Minister of Ukraine

Yulia Tymoshenko

OPEN LETTER

Dear Mr. Lytvyn and Mrs. Tymoshenko,

From the early 2000's in Ukraine is developing a system of cheap accommodation for young people - hostels, which are popular throughout the world. A first hostel was opened in 2003 in Uzhgorod, and for this moment there are about 80 hostels and similar places of accommodation in Ukraine. Despite the economic crisis, the industry progresses, showing annual growth of 25-30%. Hostels network in the country is one of the most important factors to facilitate the process of European integration and increase the international prestige of Ukraine as a tourist state.

Members of Ukrainian Youth Tourist Association (UYTA), which is more than 2700 young people and students, tourism universities teachers in all regions of Ukraine and other countries and more than 40 companies, hotels, hostels throughout Ukraine, very concerned about the threatening situation after publishing by a group of deputies of the Draft Law No. 6012 dated 28/01/2010 amending the Law of Ukraine "On Legal Status of Foreigners and Stateless Persons (to ensure equal conditions of travel of citizens of Ukraine and other countries).

Introduction of symmetrical visa regime with states - European Union countries, as well as Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Canada, Andorra, Vatican, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the United States will have a negative impact on development of tourism and youth hostel movement in Ukraine, as it is with these countries over the past couple of years the largest volume of inbound tourism.

In particular, our specialists are expected:

1). Significant decrease in tourists volume, especially backpackers, traveling in a hostel style. Our experts determined that the backpackers fate of guests is from the European Union, Norway, Japan, Canada and the U.S. is 85%. If the visa regime will be returned and not enough developed travel infrastructure in Ukraine, such tourists will prefer to travel to Russia, Poland and other neighboring countries.

2). Reducing the number of hostels and similar accommodation, leading to loss of citizens of Ukraine of their jobs, and - to a reduction of the state budget revenue. In our assessment, may cease operations for 40% of hostel.

3). Reducing the investment image of Ukraine, which is a very important factor on the eve of the UEFA Cup 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

4). The possibility of abuse, the availability of evidence of extortion and corruption by employees of Ukrainian consular offices, border and customs service.

So, according with the above, we support the preservation of the existing visa-free regime for the states - European Union countries, as well as Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Canada, Andorra, Vatican, Iceland, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and the United States. As an alternative, we propose for the citizens of these countries the introduction of visa regime - a visa issuing upon arrival to Ukraine, as is the case, for example, in Turkey.

Sincerely,

Oleksandr Fainin

President of UYTA