Crimean resorts have been visited by 356,500 tourists since the beginning of this year, which is 32.3 percent more than in the same period last year, the region's tourism minister, Vadim Volchenko, told Sputnik on Thursday
SIMFEROPOL (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 04th April, 2019) Crimean resorts have been visited by 356,500 tourists since the beginning of this year, which is 32.3 percent more than in the same period last year, the region's tourism minister, Vadim Volchenko, told Sputnik on Thursday."Since the beginning of the year, 356,500 people holidayed in Crimea, which is 32.3 percent higher than the same period last year. Then, 269,500 people visited the peninsula," Volchenko said.
According to the minister, 62 percent of tourists arrived in Crimea via the Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait.
"It is noteworthy that in the five tourist regions of Crimea the total occupancy of accommodation facilities is above average. For example, it stands at 58 percent in Simferopol, 55 percent in Saki, 51 percent in Sudak, 45 percent in Alushta, 42 percent in Yevpatoriya," he said.
The road section of the Crimean Bridge was inaugurated by Russian President Vladimir Putin last May, ahead of schedule, becoming the first direct road connecting the region with mainland Russia. The railroad section is expected to be opened for traffic in December.
Crimea, former Ukraine's territory, rejoined Russia in 2014, when about 97 percent of the peninsula's residents voted in favor of the move in a referendum. The reunification was not recognized either by Kiev or the majority of Western countries. Russia has repeatedly said that the vote was held in compliance with international law and following a democratic procedure.
