In the Odessa region, alongside traditional seaside holidays, demand is growing for green, rural, eco and gastronomic tourism, while tourism tax revenues are approaching pre-war levels.
This was reported by the Department of Digital Development, Information Policy and Tourism of the Odesa Regional Military Administration.
The department noted that despite martial law and security risks, the Odessa region remained one of Ukraine’s most popular domestic tourism destinations in 2026. The region also continues to attract visitors from abroad. According to expert estimates by Professor V. V. Yavorska, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, most foreign visitors to the Odessa region come from Arab countries, Türkiye, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. They generally travel independently.
“One of the most objective indicators of tourism activity is tourism tax revenue. According to available data, it amounted to UAH 26,761,160.45 in 2021 and UAH 20,309,034.56 in 2025. This indicates a significant recovery in tourism activity following the initial period of the full-scale war,” the regional administration said.
At the same time, it is impossible to determine exactly how far tourist numbers remain below pre-war summer levels, as no official statistics on the total number of tourists are maintained.
Coastal resort areas traditionally attract the greatest interest. At the same time, despite transport difficulties affecting Bessarabia due to damage to the bridge in Zatoka, the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Fortress, the village of Shabo, and tourist destinations in Bolhrad, Izmail and Vylkove have retained their appeal. Wine and gastronomic tourism has also become an important area of development for the region’s tourism industry.
“There is a growing demand for holidays focused on mental recovery. This is driving the increasing popularity of green, rural, eco and gastronomic tourism. In particular, this applies to wineries, eco-farms, countryside resorts, natural attractions and other tourist destinations that offer comfortable recreation, an opportunity to discover local culture and a chance to recharge,” the regional administration said.
The administration noted that this type of tourism reflects the changing preferences of visitors, who increasingly value safe, peaceful and meaningful experiences in nature. In recent years, new ecological trails have been created across the Odessa region, along with the establishment of the Kuyalnytskyi National Nature Park.
“Today, more and more people want to escape, even briefly, from constant air raid alerts, information overload and the stress associated with the war. This is why demand is growing for recreation in nature, hiking along eco-trails, birdwatching, visiting protected natural areas, eco-farms and other green tourism destinations,” the regional administration added.
