Azov destination management & tourism development

Transforming the Azov Region into a Premier Tourist Destination

📍 Location: Azov Region, Ukraine
💼 Client: USAID
🤝 Key Contributors:

Oleksandr Fainin – USAID Tourism Sector Lead
Anna Romanova – Key Expert
Tetiana Tymoshenko – Key Expert

📆 Timeline: 2020–2022
🎯 Focus: Destination Management, Strategic Planning, Capacity Building

🌟 Project Overview

The “Azov Destination Management & Tourism Development” project was a pioneering initiative aimed at revitalizing the Azov region’s tourism sector. Funded by USAID with a budget of approximately $2 million, the project assembled a team of top tourism experts to craft a modern, cohesive tourist destination encompassing cities like Mariupol, Melitopol, Berdiansk, and Henichesk.

Key achievements of the project included:

Developing the Azov Tourism Development Roadmap 2021–2030, outlining strategic goals and actions for the region.
Establishing a Destination Management Organization (DMO) and initiating a network of Visitor Centers to enhance tourist experiences.
Creating a unified brand identity and producing a promotional video to market the Azov region as a cohesive tourist destination.
Conducting trainings for over 800 entrepreneurs, government officials, and tourism industry workers, fostering local capacity and expertise.
Launching a tourism and hospitality grant program to support entrepreneurs and communities under the auspices of USAID.

Unfortunately, the full-scale aggression of Russia and the subsequent occupation of parts of the Azov region halted further progress of the project.

🚀 Key Achievements

Crafted a comprehensive tourism development roadmap for the Azov region.
Established foundational structures for sustainable destination management.
Enhanced regional collaboration among tourism stakeholders.
Stimulated investment in tourism infrastructure and services.

💡 Why It Matters

By focusing on strategic planning and capacity building, the project aimed to transform the Azov region into a vibrant, sustainable tourist destination. Despite unforeseen challenges, the groundwork laid by this initiative serves as a model for regional tourism development and resilience.

🔗 Learn More

For a detailed overview of the project and its outcomes, visit the full case study:

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"Cluster development of tourist destinations plays a strategically important role in the spread of sustainable tourism in our country. The successful activity of the USAID expert group on the creation of the Azov DMO can serve as an example for other regions and cities of Ukraine. I propose to start a pilot project of a national scale on the basis of the Azov DMO."