Post: #1

I have already mentioned my concerns in another thread, but since I find this a too important question to get not addressed properly, I decided to open a thread for itself (especially because I plan a trip to Ukraine for next year):

I am asking myself: Will the situation in Poland and in the Ukraine change to the negative because of the European Championships 2012?

Will prices (food, accommodation) go up, also for the period after the tournament has finished?

Will the influx of drunken, loud, aggressive, sex-tourism-oriented football fans from England, Germany, Italy, etc. damage the reputation of Western men in these countries?

What is your opinion on the effects of Euro 2012 on Poland and Ukraine?

Post: #2

Yes, this is a concern of mine as well. Eastern Europe as a whole has been getting more exposure to many westerners, especially in Europe. With the Euro games there in 2012 it will definitely bring about more tourists in the future. However, it will likely be Poland getting more tourists more so than Ukraine, as the language barrier in Ukraine isn't going to change anytime soon. Though if a lot of guys see the gorgeous Ukrainian girls, well... who knows.

This is unfortunate for me because I won't be done college for two years when I'll be and fluent in Russian and have the opportunity to travel. At the end of the day, I doubt tourism to these places will be significantly changed. Krakow for example, has become very popular in recent years anyway without the UEFA cup.

Post: #3

Can't speak for Poland. But considering Ukraine has terrible weather, bad food, nobody who speaks English, no scenery, no tourist attractions other than a burnt out nuclear plant, and a pretty poor standard of living compared to Western Europe, I don't see a flood of tourists happening any time soon. Prices will probably increase in the cities that host the games for the duration of the games, but after that it'll go back to normal. It takes a lot more than a Championship to permanently alter exchange rates, GDP and standard of living of a country.

The reason Estonia got overrun is because they spoke English and had a fairly high standard of living for cheap. The reason Prague got overrun is because it's got tons of tourist attractions and nightlife. Ukraine has none of these things. Other than the stunningly gorgeous women, it's honestly not a very pleasant country to be in.

Post: #4

I think it will strengthen the stereotype they already have. A lot of drunk Brits will come and hit on the girls just like they do during stag season, and get rejected like they already do. They're going to show a side of Westerners they they already know. Most of those guys will be older (since they have money), and not be hitting on the girls.

The games are only 3 weeks long. The average Polish girl won't even notice, especially since it will happen in June, when they are studying for finals (i.e. not going out) and on the way out of the cities. Maybe she will get hit on 2 or 3 times by drunk foreigners. Do you really think a year after the games, that event is going to hurt your chances? Even if it is slightly harder, I'm sure it's nothing that a few extra approaches can't fix. I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Post: #5

I am currently in Kharkov, and I am concerned about this. I could see this as both hurting and helping our cause. My gut feeling is that what Roosh and Entropy are saying is correct, that the impact will be minimal. But are there any examples of how similar events (Olympics, etc) has impacted a city in terms of how girls feel about foreigners?

Post: #6

Roosh is probably right about the girls.

(Though I hope that the Italians and the English get kicked out as soon as possible, so their supporters' stay in these countries becomes shorter and they can cause less damage.)

But I'm more worried about rising prices (especially accomodation). However, I can see Entropy's point on the Ukraine (maybe with few exceptions like Kiev??)

A major sports event - like World Cup, Euro, Olympic Games - CAN cause long-term changes in a country. Ask any South African about this.

However, you can also see this from a positive viewpoint: improvements of infrastructure, less language barriers etc.

Before World Cup 2006 in Germany many public service employees received training lessons in English. Maybe the Poles and Ukrainians have set up something similiar?

Post: #7

No, it will decrease the prices of lodging. Many entrepreneurs are fixing up their apartments to rent, bringing more units online. What happens after the game is done? A lot of supply with decreased demand. This has a price lowering effect.

Every train station in Poland is being upgraded right now. Infrastructure is being improved. This will also benefit you when you arrive.

The games won't suddenly freeze up the girls, it won't increase prices since demand is short-lived (3 weeks!), and it will improve infrastructure. Everyone can relax.

Post: #8

I can confirm there are new hotels here in Kharkov. Apparently the Euro 2012 committee mandated that Kharkov have X number of hotel rooms, so several new hotels are in the works. This is good because accommodation (hotels and apartments) in Kharkov is a bit of a problem if you dont know Russian. It's apparently easy if you know Russian. I think it will get easier for non-Russian speakers after Euro 2012.

The airport was renovated, and they were required to add an electronic baggage tracking system which is already standard in many developed nations. They are building a large building with a soccer ball (foot ball) on top and all the roads near this building are being improved.

In Kiev, they are adding an express train that will link the airport with downtown. This will be nice as the taxi ride is long (45 minutes with traffic) and costs something like $25 or so depending how long you haggle with the taxi drivers.

BTW, I met a girl at a club tonight who just got back from visiting the UK. I talked to her for 5 minutes and then left her. I wasn't really interested. An hour later she comes up to me and says "my friends and I are leaving, call me" and she hands me her number. I think she really liked the UK. I think this is an example of having some foreign exposure can help foster the foreign fetish in girls. In India, there are very few foreigners per local (many have never seen or met a foreigner) and the girls are afraid of foreigners. It's possible that Euro 2012 will actually help the situation in Ukraine and Poland.

Post: #9

I also wonder if there are "Learn English" programs in Ukraine and Poland right now, at least for those who work in the tourist industry. At the minimum this will help you get around when you visit, another benefit.

Has anyone been to a country before and after a major international event that they believed negatively changed the country solely because of that event? Understand that when countries are awarded such events, they are already up-and-coming (e.g. Brazil and China), so changes that result is from the tide coming in, not from a few soccer games.

Post: #10

There are lots of 'Learn English' programs for volunteers of Euro Cup in Ukraine, and an increasing number of young students are learning English.

Source: I was a part of such project in Kharkiv.

Post: #11

It's three weeks. And this isn't the World Cup or the Olympics. Those events are far bigger and draw far more people from all over the world. And as rundown as Ukraine is, it's no South Africa. The lasting economic and cultural impact will be minimal. Like Roosh said, most of the hot girls probably won't even notice.