SIMFEROPOL, March 4. /TASS/. Over the last ten years, Crimean resorts as part of Russia have welcomed more than 60 mln tourists, and hundreds of housing facilities have been built and upgraded, Head of Crimea Sergey Aksenov said in an interview with TASS.

"Over the last ten years, our region has welcomed more than 60 mln tourists, and hundreds of hotels and sanatoriums have been created and upgraded. The current season was difficult, primarily due to logistical constraints. In 2023, 5.2 mln tourists visited Crimea, which is 20% less than in 2022," he said.

He highlighted that as long as air traffic with Crimea remains restricted, there is no purpose in expecting tourist flows to return to prior levels. "We are currently working on creating measures to boost the industry for this year, on mechanisms to load the sanatorium and resort complex, including through new Russian regions and social programs in other regions, as well as additional advantages and deductions," he said.

Speaking about the industry's progress, he added that during the last ten years, more than 70 accommodation facilities have been built, and 568 have been reconstructed. "In the last year alone, 13 new accommodations with about 400 rooms have opened. In general, all investment projects have been maintained - this is 68 project agreements totaling more than 168 bln rubles," Aksenov said.

Despite the industry's challenges, Aksenov identified one of the primary goals as reducing seasonal factors through refurbishing current room stock, constructing new hotel complexes, and developing an all-season tourism infrastructure. "These are spa centers, warm pools, medical facilities, and so on," he added.