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A new model for tourism development in the Carpathians was presented by Vasyl Danyliak, CEO of OKKO Group and co-founder of GORO Mountain Resort, and Volodymyr Harazd, CEO of GORO Mountain Resort, at the All-Ukrainian Tourism Summit on April 17.
The tourism cluster development model is built on a three-tier structure.
The first level is the GORO mountain resort, which serves as the core of the туристичний experience, where the main value for guests is created: year-round infrastructure (sports, leisure, wellness, events), a seamless digital experience—from booking to stay—, a balance of active and relaxed recreation, and a high level of service. According to projections, GORO will welcome 1 million guests annually by 2030, with tourist flow increasing to 3 million visitors per year by 2040.
The second level is the tourism cluster that unites the Slavske community and its surrounding areas. Here, local businesses, gastronomy, crafts, and authentic cultural experiences will expand, alongside the creation of conditions for attracting investment and increasing employment. The first phase of GORO is expected to generate at least 6,000 jobs, with this number projected to grow to 25,000 over 15 years. Tax revenues from businesses—particularly from the key investor—will play a significant role in community development. Since 2018, the Slavske community has received UAH 1.8 billion from OKKO Group, supporting social infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Overall, tax contributions from GORO projects are estimated at UAH 10 billion over 15 years.
The third level is an ecosystem beyond the community, enabling the tourism experience to scale across hundreds of kilometers toward the destination. Thanks to the group’s extensive OKKO filling station network, the Fishka loyalty program, and a partner ecosystem, a broader tourism infrastructure is being formed—where interaction with the guest begins even before arrival at the resort. This involves integrating services, gastronomy, digital products, and partner offerings into a single travel journey, where each touchpoint enhances the overall destination experience.
“A guest does not divide a trip into parts—it is a single travel story. That is why we are building a unified ecosystem: from the journey to the stay at GORO and within the Slavske community. In this model, a strong experience turns a tourist into an ambassador, opening up the opportunity for Ukraine to become a recurring travel destination rather than a one-time curiosity,” said Vasyl Danyliak, co-founder of GORO and CEO of OKKO Group.
The GORO team also plans to launch educational programs in partnership with academic institutions to train specialists in tourism and hospitality. In parallel, acceleration programs for local entrepreneurs will be developed to help create and scale businesses within the resort ecosystem. This approach aims to ensure sustainable economic development in the region and strengthen the role of the Slavske community as a full participant in the tourism cluster.
“The new tourism cluster will create a significant economic impact for the region. Each year, destination guests are expected to spend at least $175–300 million, excluding accommodation costs. These funds will not be concentrated within a single business such as GORO, but will be distributed across gastronomy, entertainment, services, and local production. This new economy will form around the cluster if all participants act as a unified system: businesses, communities, the state, education, and investors. We are already seeing strong interest from businesses across Ukraine in contributing to the development of this new destination,” said Volodymyr Harazd, CEO of GORO Mountain Resort.
GORO Mountain Resort is a year-round mountain resort being developed by OKKO Group since October 2024 in the Slavske community, Lviv region. The first phase covers 127 hectares and includes 10 ski slopes, a 100% artificial snowmaking system, a gondola lift and two chairlifts, a Welcome Centre and Mountain Centre, as well as five hotel complexes with over 1,100 rooms. OKKO Group is the owner, investor, and developer of the project. The resort is scheduled to open in 2027, with hotel complexes launching in summer 2028. International consultants ILF Group and PKF Hospitality are involved in the project’s development. The total investment volume, covering 1,200 hectares over 15 years, is estimated at approximately $1.5 billion.
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