KIEV, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The number of overseas tourists visiting Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, has increased by 25 percent in 2017, the city council reported Thursday.
According to the report, Kiev last year welcomed 1.6 million foreign visitors compared with 1.28 million in 2016. The number of domestic tourists to Kiev rose by about 18 percent in 2017 to 850,000 people.
The main factors behind the increase were the Eurovision Song Contest held in Kiev in May, it said.
According to local experts, Kiev's tourism market will continue to rise this year as the city prepares to host the 2018 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League final in May.
Last year, Kiev introduced a special card for tourists, offering discounts or free entry to museums, galleries and nightclubs.
In 2018, Kiev plans to introduce an e-payment service in all public transport and install information bureaus to provide assistance to visitors.
