Ukraine once had a booming tourism industry. It has a fascinating history, architecture and culture and was generally cheaper and easier to visit than its neighbors Russia and Belarus.

In 2008, the country welcomed around 30 million visitors but following the start of the conflict with Russia in 2014 in eastern Ukraine, this number began to drop.

It is estimated that only 3 million tourists visited the country in 2021. And with the ongoing war, it will only get worse in 2022.

Is Ukraine’s tourism industry about to collapse?

Odessa, the third largest city in Ukraine, was once a popular vacation destination on the Black Sea. The city is known for its 19th century European architecture and sandy beaches – both of which are rare in the country.

At present, the beaches are off-limits because the Ukrainian army has equipped them with mines to repel any attempt by Russian forces to land.

Recent airstrikes also completely destroyed many hotels in the city.

Euronews correspondent, Anelise Borges spoke to a woman who runs a B&B. His business has completely disappeared.

” I did not expect that. How can I? We have no work. The beach is mined. I have to feed my three children and none of us have jobs at the moment,” she says.

Watch the video above to learn more about the tourism industry in Ukraine.