KIEV, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian authorities will develop tourism in the area near the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Ukraine's state agency for the Chernobyl zone management said Thursday.

In particular, a new hotel and an information center for tourists will be opened in Chernobyl in the near future, the agency said on Facebook.

In addition, tourism experts will develop new routes for visitors across the most interesting sites of the area, it said.

The Chernobyl plant, located some 110 km from Kiev, witnessed one of the worst nuclear accidents in human history on April 26, 1986.

Since 2010, Chernobyl has been officially open for tourists after the environmental situation in the area has been improved. The place now is completely safe if tourists strictly follow the instructions of tour guides.

About 10,000 tourists visit the Chernobyl zone every year. Apart from visiting the disaster site, the visitors can also enjoy the rich wildlife which is flourishing in the abandoned area without human presence.