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Eco-Romania, integrating

certification within destination

managementAndrei Blumer,

Association of Ecotourism in Romania

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POSITIONING ECOTOURISM CONCEPT

Nature tourism

Sustainable tourism

Ecotourism

Beach tourism

City tourism

Rural tourism

(Agroturism)

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ECOTOURISM COMPONENTS

• Contribute to nature conservation

• Integrate interpretation and learning experiences

• Integrate responsible behavior of tourists, host destination and developers

• Minimising environmental impact

• Working towards local ownership and local capacity for development

• Based on local small scale

• Contribute to the welfare of local population from rural areas in (the surrounding of) nature (protected) areas

Adapted from Oliver Hillel ,UNO, 2002

– Slow down experience! –

Voluntary Certification Systems

• Local voluntary initiatives;• There are already international recognised criteria framework;

Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC)

European Ecotourism Labeling Standards(Eco-Destinet Project)

Nature’ Best Eco-Romania

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Four main directions for AER

MarketingStrategies &

Product development

Certification Public awareness and media

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Eco-Romania principles

1. Sustainable management of company;

1. Focus on natural areas;

2. Nature interpretation and education;

3. Environment sustainability;

4. Nature conservation contribution;

5. Contribution to development of local communities;

6. Sensitive towards local culture

Retezat PAN Park Destination – Eco-Romania Network

Retezat NP Region – PAN Park certified – a network of certified local products

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Four season ecotourism destination:

• Experience and activity zoning concept;

• Network: Accommodations & Tours: hiking, horseback riding, rafting, mountain biking, wildlife tracking;

• Eco-Romania certified businesses in combination with the local label (brand);

• Branding and domestic and international marketing.

Calimani NP – Tara Dornelor Destination – Eco-Romania Network

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Promoted (Eco)Destinations by AER

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Eco-Romania Certification

• 30 businesses certified (accommodation & tours);

• Eco-Romania is more than a certification system: it is a guiding process;

• Certification is integrated into marketing, product development, public awareness and capacity building.

Certification is part of a destination development.

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Our Vision

To develop a strong network of ecotourism destinations in Carpathians

and Danube Delta.

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Thank you for attention!

www.eco-romania.ro