www.eco-romania.ro The Association of Ecotourism in Romania Ecotourism destination management in Romania
Mar 27, 2018
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
The Association of Ecotourism in Romania
(AER)
www.eco-romania.ro
www.asociatiaaer.ro
www.facebook.com/eco.romania