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www.eco-romania.ro The Association of Ecotourism in Romania

Ecotourism destination management in Romania

Established in 2003AER has achieved a partnership for nature conservation

and tourism between the tourist industry (tour-operatours, guesthouses) and organisations acting in nature conservation (NGOs, protected areas, local authorites, consultants, local individuals).

52 members & 4 partners:

• 3/5 privat sector (e.g. tur-operatours, guesthouses, guides);

• 1/5 entities based on nature conservation (e.g. NGOs likeWWF, CAPDD Bihor, Mioritics Association, ADEPT Foundation etc.)

About AER

Asociația de Ecoturism din România

AER identity

• Contributes to biodiversity conservation

• Contains interpretative and educational features

• Implies responsible tourist behavior

• Low environmental impact

• Local participation, ownership

• Performed mainly by small locally owned enterprises

• Sustains the well-being of local people situated in the rural area, close to a

protected area

A Slow Down experience!

Ecotourism: major components

“Slow down” concept tuned for ecotourism destination

• More days spent in a destination by tourists!

• Wise money spending by guests on local services !

• Quality time through a learning nature and culture experience!

• More local beneficiaries out of tourism in the destination!

• Responsible product and destination management are adapted to the targeted

market segments!

The locals and protected area become the core value of the

destination in marketing and “slowing down” experiences!

Ecotourism destination

=

The protected area and the

(surrounding) local communities that

adopted a responsible and integrated

local policy based on ecotourism

International context

Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)

European EcoTourism Labeling Standard (EETLS)

Ecotourism Destination

Criteria

Romania

National Tourism Authority

InitiativeAER initiative

National context

➢ National ecotourism strategy developed by National Research and Development

Institute for Tourism defines the needs for ecotourism destinations in 2009;

➢ In 2011, the Inter-Ministry Working Group for ecotourism development is

officially formed under coordination of National Tourism Authority. AER is member of

it;

➢ In 2011 – 2013, National Tourism Authority coordinates the process of developing

the criteria and procedure for ecotourism destination awards;

➢ European Ecotourism Conference (Poiana Brașov/Romania, 2013) agreement on

European ecotourism destination concept;

➢ In 2014, the first two micro-regions are recognized as ecotourism destinations by

the National Tourism Authority in partners.

➢In 2015-2016, national ecotourism strategy is updated.

➢ In 2016, two more ecotourism destination are evaluated and officially awarded

Ecotourism destination network (in progress)

Tara

Dornelor -

Calimani

Danube

Delta

Zarnesti –

Piatra Craiului

Tarnava Mare -

Hartibaciu

Tara

Hategului -

Retezat

Tusnad –

Sfanta Ana

Padurea

Craiului -

Apuseni

Mara

Maramures

Cheile

Nerei

Vanatori

Neamt

Marginimea

Sibiului

1. A clearly defined micro-region that has at least one protected area;

2. A minimum set of tourism services (e.g. 50 beds, medical care, bank, etc.);

3. The existence of a DMO managed by the partnership between the administration

of the protected area, business sector and local authorities;

4. A responsible approach towards the environmental , social and cultural

components of the destination;

5. The existence of a critical mass of green businesses;

6. Good premises for visitors’ satisfaction with a high quality information and

interpretation infrastructure;

7. A holistic image of the destination that integrates the images of the protected

area and local communities.

Developing the concept and criteria for ecotourism destination in

Romania

Eco-Romania Certification System

• Addresses to 2 categories of applicants:

• Tours provided by tour-operators (max. 15 participants);

• Small-scale accommodation facilities in rural & natural

areas (max. 25 rooms);

• Eco-Romania evaluated and certified: 84 guesthouses and tours

certified

• Most of the are guesthouses

• All over Romania;

• They are promoted by AER

Tara Hategului - Retezat ecotourism destination

1.631.24

1.551.31

1.701.93

2.59 2.51

1.821.39 1.38

2.03

0.000.501.001.502.002.503.00

Average stay (overnights, 2016)

5.18 5.244.50

7.31 7.038.07

13.0614.43

12.67

8.506.70 7.31

0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

8.00

10.00

12.00

14.00

16.00

Sesonality (%) inTara Hategului – Retezat (2016)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Visited atractions in Tara Hategului -Retezat

Nature conservation

Cultural heritage conservations

Thank you for your attention!

Andrei Blumer

andrei.blumer@eco-romania.ro

The Association of Ecotourism in Romania

(AER)

www.eco-romania.ro

www.asociatiaaer.ro

www.facebook.com/eco.romania