Developing Industrial Tourism in Donetsk Oblast

article provided by Marina Pristinskaya

Since the Time of the Soviet Union takes the first place by volume of industrial production among Ukrainian oblasts.

It becomes world wide spread to accent on special sightseeing which can attract tourists all over the world. Donetsk can hardly compete with the worldly known centers of tourism: besides the fact that Donetsk oblast has lack of historical, archaeological or natural sightseeing, the specifics of this city is its industrial, engineering and coal production. Donetsk is a famous post-Soviet era megapolis, which is becoming more and more recognized in Europe for it's fast developing businesses, industries and the city infrastructure. Economically, it is becoming one of the most important and largest cities in Ukraine. The most attractive production areas in Donetsk look a bit controversial, when put into a line together: metal, salt, Champagne and chocolate.

No need to say, an industrial center like this has a little potential for tourism. Nevertheless, tourist operators remain quite optimistic, and are planning to provide special programs for foreign guests and soccer fans, who are coming to attend the Europe Junior-Class Football Championship of 2009 and the Europe Football Cup of 2012. Tourism operators count first of all on the so-called industrial tourism to Donetsk area.

Several years ago there was very little information about industrial tourism in Donetsk. To obtain a permission for an excursion about a plant or a production enterprise was hardly possible at all. A special permission of city authorities was required.

Today, there are at least two well-advertised tourist brands in Donetsk - The Artemovsk plant of Champaign and winery (excursion about the plant and tasting included) and “Artyomsol” salt-mining plant, where tourists are allowed to walk along a hallway dug in deep into the salt mine.

Also, tourists are suggested a number of excursions to other industrial objects, such as brewery plant “Sarmat”, including beer tasting and the most interesting excursion about the history of local brewery and the secrets of beer production. Some tourists enjoy visiting one of the biggest candy and chocolates production factories in Ukraine “AVK”, and also and excursion to Donetsk metallurgical plant, where visitors are told and shown the technology of bell’s casting.

On the way to Donetsk, everyone stops to see the Svyatogorsk caves and monasteries. Tourists are captivated by the view of Svyatogorsk Monastery Complex (located in Donetsk oblast), a well known picturesque place with rich historical and archeological heritage. The Monastery is located on the slope of chalky hill, the territory is planted by 300^-year-old oaks, a century-old pine-trees, elms, lindens… At the foot of the hill, Seversky Donetsk River winds beautifully along hills and valleys of the area. This place is distinguished for its unique natural beauty, which was marveled by a lot of Russian literature and arts classics, who had a chance to visit the area. Chekhov wrote that the white chalky mountains “protect this place from winds and piny wood heals everyone with soft aroma of it's needles. It is a great temptation to dip into the world of antiquity and spirituality, and also a good opportunity to improve health.”

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