KIEV, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine's southern Odessa region, known for its Black Sea beach resorts, will develop green tourism, the state-run Ukrinform news agency reported Monday.

The report cited Svitlana Shatalova, deputy head of Odessa regional administration, as saying that a rural and ecological tourism center will be established in Tarutino district, which lies on the border with Moldova.

The tourism center will offer visitors tours to authentic Ukrainian villages and farms, as well as sightseeing in grain and lavender fields.

"This project will support the development of agriculture and livestock farming. Besides, it will incentivize small businesses and tap into the resource, economic and social potential of the region," Shatalova was quoted as saying.

Odessa is a coastal region to the north of the Black Sea and one of Ukraine's most celebrated tourism destinations.

About 5.7 million tourists from Ukraine and abroad visited the region in 2017, up 43 percent from a year ago.