Today, the tourist agency “Patriot” knows not every Rutomiran. You heard about it in other cities of Ukraine and even in many countries of the world. All this is due to the fact that its founder Sergey Dekhtiarenko is a true patriot of his city, who is not only proud of Zhytomyr, but also creates a quality tourist product for Ukrainian and foreign tourists.
“When I started the tourism business, I already had a good job: I worked as the head of the department. Then from Monday to Friday I worked at the factory, and on the weekend I went to accompany tours in the region or in Ukraine. In the tour, which I invented myself, picked up guides in the cities. Basically, these were new cities where I have not been. One day, I remember, it was Saturday morning. I have breakfast, I go to the gathering place of the group. I go and ask myself the question: “Why do I need it at all? I was entrusted with 40 people a weekend. I am very responsible. ” But then I said to myself: “You yourself wanted to. Forward!”
“There is a super museum in Zhytomyr region – a museum of decorative stones. There are just a few in the world. Many exhibit stones, but for the museum to be in a place where such stones are mined, then there are few in the world. It seems like close to five. Sometime a researcher Firsman called our museum Ural in miniature. And this is in Zhytomyr region, in Khoroshivsky district! “
“Another interesting place we have in Kipyachiv. There are two monasteries – the Kazan Mother of God and Athos. There is very interesting: in the tract Boiling healing water, peace, quiet and grace ”
“I worked as the head of the logistics department, accustomed to calculating everything. You will not take into account any trifles, you will not order a label – the line will stand. Therefore, accustomed to everything to be treated responsibly. This is very helpful in organizing the tourism business “
“It all started with the fact that I bought the phone, made myself a site, which taught the information about the tours, and began to work. Then I was an accountant, and a manager and manager in one person. My friend scattered the flyers into the mailboxes and accompanied the groups when I did not go out. Here we started our business “
“Yes, you could buy a franchise and become a regular travel company, many of them. But that’s a completely different business, usually in such firms only sell overseas tours. And I would like to deal with Zhytomyr and the region. I met with local lore and saw that each of them separately was engaged in the popularization of the city and the region, learned about many interesting objects. I invited them to create a tourist product back in 2008, and then they created the very first. I could not create a travel agency anymore, because once the law required the licensing of such activities, the availability of higher education and staff, some of which should also be professional guides. And we found another way – they created a public organization “Zhytomyr Regional Youth Organization” Union of Local Lore “Patriot”. I started walking with business cards, although the organization was located at my home. And then canceled the effect of that law, I arranged the FOP, hired the office and began to engage in entrepreneurial activity in the field of tourism. Sometimes it was such that on the weekend there were as many as two buses to tourists. By the way, there is also a big risk: people could not come because they had no obligations. There were times when people did not come and did not warn about it. Here in such extreme conditions and began to take up. Then the office itself made, and the manager of tourism took the job ”
“There are, of course, problems, as in any case. Tourism as a business has a seasonal nature. There are more orders in the spring, in the summer – the seas, in the autumn – in September and half October there is an order. And then from the new year and almost until April – the dead season. Only interested in skiing, but that’s not our chip. From that, it is difficult to survive, so with the staff of the problem. But we are looking for a way out: we accept versatile people. As for huge treasures, then you will not earn them, this work just needs to be loved. And people who are engaged in the popularization of Zhytomyr – ethnographers, owners of private expositions, small cafes – enthusiasts. It is necessary to unite here, because everyone will not do anything on their own. “
“In the near future, we plan to show Kyiv tour operators that we have really interesting tourist products that can be sold throughout the year. I have been involved in tourism for almost eight years, and I realized that I have to occupy a narrow niche, because there is not enough time. Now I switched only to our product, Ukrainian: Ukraine, Zhytomyr, and for foreigners Chernobyl. It is interesting to prepare corporate tours for companies, organizations “
“I give some excursions and teach the younger generation. I know that we will have a “School of the guide”, he would like to get there. First, when I came to this business, I saw myself as a manager or manager. But when I was in the role of a guide, I really liked it. The only thing that needs to be understood is that I will bring more benefits in the status of manager to develop a local tourism business. And it is necessary to encourage those who like it. Recently came to me an unfamiliar girl, said that she likes such a job, wants to make excursions. That’s why people should be encouraged, cooked, because we need a permanent staff! “
“When I call people who want to get on an excursion, I always try to show the city. Well, how is it to let a man go without showing her my city? I ride on my car, tell me, I want people to like it »
“I deliberately became a guide. When you tell people something interesting, you try to talk about something that was not known before, you yourself are making fun of it, and it always feels. But before I tell, I study carefully, I read a lot. One day a friend told me: “What’s interesting in Zhytomyr there!” Well, I started telling him. He was so impressed that he did not know that! And then even checked out at Google, is it true? “
“I even had anecdotal stories. Somehow the French came, and I began to draw parallels between France and Zhitomir. He said that Balzac was married to Ghana near Zhytomyr, in Berdichev; that the hero of the Paris Commune, Yaroslav Dombrovskyi, was born in Zhytomyr; not far from Zhytomyr, the estate of Kutuzov, who fought with Napoleon. And then I wanted to tell about the connection of Francis Ford Coppola with our region. I ask: “Do you know the movie” Apocalypse Today “, which shot Coppola? And they are so doomed: “What, and he was born in Zhytomyr?” Then I laughed “
“Since 2008, I have started to communicate closely with regional experts, who in their circle called patriots all the people who are interested in Zhytomyr. Even the books signed: “The true patriot of Zhytomyr from the author.” That’s why I called my company. It seemed to me very much “in the subject”. For many years has passed, but still relevant. Now we are back to what was beginning: it is an understanding of the need to popularize Zhytomyr and the region. We constantly find something new, since this year we found new interesting objects. If I did not see the potential of this activity, then I would not do that “
“I never dreamed of going somewhere from Zhytomyr, because here I have a job, a family. I’m comfortable here. I never even wanted to go to Kyiv, I like my city. In another place, I just do not see myself ”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
