ODESA, JUNE, 19th, 2009, CONTEXT-PRICHERNOMORIE – Mayor of Odesa, Eduard Gurvits held a round table together with foreign envoys representing practically all the missions accredited in Odesa and representatives of the EURO 2012 Committee for Community Control. The topic of discussion was ‘Odesa – Tourist Centre’, Context-Prichernomorie correspondent reports.

The agency was informed about it today, 19 June at the Administration of Information at Odesa City Council.

According to the Administration, opening the meeting, Mayor said tourism theme is really important for the city’s development: “Odesa must define its way of development for many years. It has become a tradition our city is a great tourist centre. Odesa has also always been a centre for musical festivals, sport competitions, and this is to be saved”.

Eduard Gurvits said it was very important foreign envoys participated in the round table: “Our countries and cities have great tourist potential. Your experience and opinion on this is really important for us”.

In his speech Mayor paid special attention to the decision made by the UEFA experts depriving Odesa of the chance to hold EURO 2012 matches. He named the decision to be incorrect and unfair.

During the round table the foreign envoys stated a number of suggestions aimed to improve Odesa’s tourist attractiveness.