Iryna Furdela, ecologist at Bukovel’s Sustainable Development Office
— Iryna, welcome! You’ve been working at Bukovel for a year now. What was the most interesting or challenging part of your first few months?
— I joined the Bukovel sustainable development team in 2024 when the resort began its large-scale transformation to create a certified tourism cluster – and it’s incredibly prestigious and responsible for me. Our goal is to become the first non-governmental tourism destination in Ukraine and the fifth in the world to be certified by the international "Green Destination" standard. This puts a special emphasis on every aspect of our work. For me, the most interesting thing was understanding how a large tourist resort, hosting thousands of guests every day, can work in harmony with nature. Bukovel isn’t just a place for recreation; it’s a vast ecosystem of solutions, processes, and responsibilities.
The most challenging part, perhaps, was getting immersed in all the internal processes – understanding how ecological initiatives integrate into the resort's daily activities. It was also a challenge to communicate our messages in a simple way – making them interesting to both guests and colleagues.
— Could you tell us about the Lake of Youth certifying process? What key criteria did you need to consider to make our beach a candidate for the "Blue Flag" program?
— The "Blue Flag" is an international eco-certification label awarded to beaches that meet strict criteria related to water quality, environmental management, safety, services, as well as environmental awareness and education. It’s one of the most prestigious awards in the world. In 2025, Lake of Youth beach became a "Blue Flag" candidate, marking the first step toward full certification. Some key steps have already been completed, including monitoring water quality for bacteriological and physicochemical indicators; the beach is equipped with lifeguard towers, necessary rescue equipment, and a qualified lifeguard team who have been trained and briefed before the season; there’s a medical center with a doctor and essential medicines (open from 08:00 to 20:00); clean and functional toilets (6 units), changing cabins; an inclusive access ramp, new benches for seating; rental points for life vests; and enough trash bins, with regular cleaning of the beach and surrounding area.
Next year, we will proudly raise the Blue Flag over Lake of Youth beach, to emphasize cleanliness, safety, and high environmental standards. It will be a significant step forward for Bukovel as a world-class year-round resort.
— What steps are still needed to ensure that in 2026, the Blue Flag will fly over Lake of Youth?
— This international program sets very high requirements, and to qualify for the award, we must meet 32 criteria in four areas: water quality, environmental education and awareness, environmental management, and safety and service quality.
Some of the work has already been completed, but we still need to install an information board on the lake shore, which is one of the program’s mandatory criteria. The board will contain information about the beach, water quality, safety and behavior rules for visitors, eco-education plans, and environmental information.
Environmental education is one of the main criteria of the program, and we plan to hold eco-workshops for children, teaching them about waste sorting in a playful manner and familiarizing visitors with the flora and fauna of the lake.
— Why is this important for Bukovel's image and tourism appeal?
— Earning the "Blue Flag" for Lake of Youth is not just a symbol; it’s a powerful tool for enhancing the resort’s image and tourism appeal. It will be a landmark achievement, highlighting Bukovel’s commitment to excellence and sustainable development, ensuring its leading position on the tourism map of Ukraine and the world. Certification under the "Blue Flag" program is a form of trust for tourists. It confirms that the location meets international standards of quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. This is important both for foreign tourists, who often rely on such labels when choosing a destination to travel to, and for the local market, as it builds trust in the resort.
— Iryna, you also work on the environmental section of the sustainable development report. What key topics are planned to be highlighted in the document?
— The 2024 Sustainable Development Report will show that the resort doesn’t just talk about sustainability but also implements real practices. The environmental section will cover energy consumption, water management, waste management, air quality protection, and measures implemented at the resort to conserve natural resources and protect the environment. I’d like to note that our office will present the first sustainable development report in the fall of 2025.
— How do you see the future development of sustainable practices in Ukraine’s tourism sector, using Bukovel as an example?
— The development of sustainable practices, as initiated by Bukovel, is critically important for the future of tourism in Ukraine. Not only does it protect the environment and improve service quality, but it also creates new economic opportunities and shapes Ukraine’s image as a responsible and modern tourist destination. This direction must become a priority for further development in the industry as a whole.
The global trend toward responsible tourism is growing. Tourists are increasingly choosing destinations that show a responsible approach to nature. Bukovel’s experience in striving to achieve certification as the first tourist cluster in Ukraine, meeting nearly a hundred international protocols, serves as a benchmark and will be a strong guide for the entire industry.
Earlier, we also prepared interviews on sustainable practices with Vasyl Hrynkiv (Head of Mavka aquapark), Yuriy Kosmirak (Head of NUMO restaurant), Margaryta Onyshchenko (Head of Bukovel’s hotel division), and Bohdan Krasavtsev (Head of Bukovel’s Sustainable Development Office).
You can always reach out to Bukovel’s Sustainable Development Office: bohdan.krasavtsev@bukovel.com