European track: we become members of the European Federation of Rural Tourism RURALTOUR

The summer of 2024 opened new horizons of international cooperation – the Union of Rural Green Tourism of Ukraine became a member of the European Federation of Rural Tourism RuralTour – a professional tourism organization that represents this sector at the European level and helps European institutions to formulate relevant legislation. RuralTour has 28 national and regional provider organizations from 25 countries in geographical Europe, as well as 4 affiliated members in 4 countries of Central Asia.

The union already had experience of cooperation with RuralTour, in particular, holding in 2005 the II European Congress in Crimea, a conference on standardization in rural tourism, but membership in RuralTour is a powerful step towards the European integration of rural tourism through the exchange of experience, expert consultations, mastering quality standards, participation in international events and projects, including those already implemented in Ukraine by a consortium with the participation of RuralTour (for example, the Toural project – Kutsurub community, Mykolaiv region).

From now on, this “window” to Europe is open to Ukrainian market participants – members of the Union. And by and large, these are systematic and persistent steps forward on the European track of integration of tourism and hospitality chains and green transformation. Currently, the Association is engaged in the preparation of official publications, an exciting presentation of our picturesque country, the achievements and aspirations of our organization, tourist products, routes, trails, events from the business members of the Association to a wide international audience on the RuralTour platform.

Ruraltour has a special goal – to help consumers make their choice safe. Accordingly, it is up to us to be as active as possible in the transfer of innovation, using the wealth of information and practical advice that RuralTour provides and promotes about different countries and their offerings.

Thus, in the European community of rural tourism, the offer of our producers will become competitive and sustainable, visualized on an international platform and available to a wide range of consumers. The focus is on wonderful stories of returning to one’s roots: village holidays, the aromas of childhood, enjoying silence and nature, gastronomy and adventure, family vacations and unique cultural experiences. So, this is an opportunity to enrich the valuable capital and benefits of the development of owners, farmers and crafters, actually – rural communities of Ukraine.

Viktoriya Kyptenko,
Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Country Studies and Tourism of the Kyiv National University, Vice-President for International Activities of the Academy of Rural Development of the Union of the Northwest Territories of Ukraine