Kerch, Autonomous Republic of Crimea

March 13, 2012, Koktebel / March 15, 2012, Kerch, Crimea — On the threshold of the tourist season, the seminars on new accounting and taxation rules for accommodation services gathered 250 entrepreneurs, owners and managers of small hotels in Koktebel and Kerch.

January 30, 2012, Yalta, Crimea — Seminar on “Simplified taxation system – new accounting rules from 1 January 2012 on” for owners and managers of small hotels.

November 24-26, Kerch, Crimea — USAID LINC sponsored the 7th science-to-practice conference entitled “Crimea: Culture, Education, Activity”. This informative and networking event gathered 130 owners and managers of tourist companies and accommodation facilities, guides, museum workers and scientists, other stakeholders.

October 7-8, 2011, Kerch, Crimea — In conjunction with the Small Hotels Association of Crimea, presentation of the Kerch region’s tourism potential to leading Crimean tour operators.

June 23, 2011 — The Kerch City Rada in Crimea approved the city’s tourist logo and slogan developed by a Kyiv-based creative agency on the initiative and with assistance from USAID LINC.

April 15-16, 2011 — USAID LINC acted as a general sponsor of the first Crimean International Tourist Forum in Kerch. The event focused on how to extend the tourist season in Crimea, introduce European standards into the Crimean tourism industry, and integrate it into the global travel business.

April 15, 2011 – USAID LINC brought eight craftspersons together with the Crimean folk band “Cezair” to the Third International Tourist Exhibition in Kerch, Crimea. The artisans had an opportunity to exhibit their souvenir products as well as establish contacts with local authorities and tourist sector business representatives.

April 1, 2011 — In Kerch, Crimea, USAID LINC gave an examination to participants in the training carried out by the project for English-speaking tourist guides from this city and Feodosia.

March 24, 2011 — In Kerch, Crimea, USAID LINC launched a training course for English-speaking tourist guides from this city and Feodosia.

Feb. 16, 2011 — In Kerch, Crimea, the USAID Local Investment and National Competitiveness (LINC) and Ukraine National Initiatives to Enhance Reforms (UNITER) projects in conjunction with local government carried out a presentation of the Tourist-Recreation Profile of the city, developed with financial support from both projects.

July 27, 2010 — Crimea’s Kerch City Rada at the plenary meeting adopted the Economic Development Strategic Plan in a unanimous vote.

July 22-23, 2010 — Committees of Crimea’s Kerch City Rada discussed the draft Economic Development Strategic Plan worked out for the city by the Kerch Expert Committee for Economic Development with assistance from the USAID LINC Project.

June 30, 2010 — Crimea”s Kerch Expert Committee for Economic Development at its fourth meeting finished drafting the Kerch Economic Development Strategic Plan, now pending adoption by the Kerch City Rada.

November 25, 2009 - LINC project facilitated the second meeting of Crimea's Kerch Expert Committee for Economic Development to identify goals and preliminary discuss objectives of the city's Economic Development Strategic Plan being drafted by the committee with assistance from LINC.

Earlier, the committee decided that the future economic strategy would focus on creating conditions for business development and investment attraction, identifying the following priority development sectors: resort and tourism, transport and logistics, and maritime economic complex.

July 24, 2009 - Kerch is a large port city in the northeastern section of Crimea, at the junction of the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.  It is also located next to Russia.  The city has a rich and ancient history, as well as more recent vintage in the maritime and ship-building industries. The combination of its size, location and active and potential industry base (including work force) make it one of the most competitive actors in Crimea.  The purpose of this meeting is to present the strategic planning process and methodology to EC members, discuss the next analytical phase in the strategy creation process, and set a schedule for strategic plan development.  A protocol of agreement will also be signed.