Amfiteatru Foundation, in partnership with the National Museum of Romanian History, organized the 6th edition of the International Forum for Responsible Tourism.
The event took place in Bucharest, at the National Museum of Romanian History, from May 10 to 11, 2018, and the theme of the edition was “Local Attraction and Development through Responsible Tourism.”
We started Thursday with a good coffee provided by our partners and friends from Origo, a coffee that gave us not only an extra boost of energy, but also the courage to initiate conversations with the event’s guests and speakers.
Panel 1 – Local Attraction and Responsible Tourism
Harold Goodwin, Aurel Borșan, Paul Damian, and Mihaela Toader opened the discussion through a round table, during which they outlined the directions that the two days of conferences would follow. Their experience in the fields of tourism, management, funding lines, and history respectively offered participants a multidisciplinary perspective on the possibilities for the evolution and consolidation of responsible tourism in Romania.
Panel 2 -Territory Management
Harold Goodwin (Founding Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism) spoke about destinations and identity, about the need to implement responsible tourism, and, last but not least, about how tourism can create better places for the communities living there.
Rareș Hopincă (Director of Sector 5 Town Hall) spoke about the ten new development projects proposed by the Sector 5 Town Hall. Having a major impact at the level of the entire city, the projects aim to solve a series of important problems of the capital – urban mobility, social inclusion and the elimination of interregional discrepancies, the elimination of economic discrepancies at the municipal and regional level, and the optimal economic capitalization of scientific and demographic resources at the regional level.
Ciprian Lucian Roșca (State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration – MDRAP) brought into discussion several aspects regarding the approach to territory management in the activities carried out by MDRAP. Tourism is appreciated as one of the most efficient tools for urban regeneration, with a high impact on local economic development both through the capitalization of tourist, historical, or newly created attractions and through stimulating the development of services needed by tourists.
Panel 3 – Identity and Uniqueness in Romania
Mihai Ogrinji (President of the Association of Tourism Journalists and Writers of Romania) invoked the role of personalities throughout time in creating local and national identities, with an emphasis on existing material evidence (such as tombs and statues), especially from the Moldova region. Mr. Ogrinji’s intervention within this panel, “Identity and Uniqueness in Romania,” was an emotional one, being oriented toward the recognition of literary and human values.
Nicolae Lech (Executive Manager of Eurolines Nova Touring) argued for responsible tourism, demonstrating throughout his speech how it can have effects on everyday life. The major challenge, therefore, is based on the courage to realize what Romania has to offer, beyond “traditional palinca during a folk dance.”
Panel 4 – Attractions and Entrepreneurship
Ioana Pătrășcoiu (Co-founder of My Secret Romania) challenged us to an unexpected exercise – as she listed various regions of the country, she asked us what there was to see there. Naturally, she knew how to present us with a multitude of other attractions and places hidden from the tourist and the unknowing eye. My Secret Romania means brunches put together exclusively from local products, served in nature, in the middle of communities. It is a project that aims to offer a special experience to both tourists and locals.
Daniel Sărdan (Founder of Marea Evadare) spoke about the impact that cycling routes and competitions have. Thus, the value of the place and local products will increase, the standard of living, dynamics, and social interaction will increase.
Cosmin Dragomir (Founder of GastroArt) is a journalist and a great enthusiast of the history of Romanian gastronomy and hospitality. He has spent the last few years documenting, researching, publishing articles and interviews – all specialized in gastronomy.
The second day of the International Forum for Responsible Tourism kicked off with the module entitled “Natural Attractions,” with Mr. Cristian Lascu, the first editor-in-chief of National Geographic Romania and one of the founders of the Văcărești Natural Park, serving as the general moderator. Mr. Lascu delivered a presentation on nature and tourism and how they blend together, advocating for the conservation and promotion of national heritage.
Nicoleta Marin (Member of the “Văcărești Natural Park” Association) presented the history of the Văcărești Natural Park, the park’s attractions, and the activities that can be undertaken in this natural setting, such as urban birdwatching, bicycle rides, and observing and interpreting nature along the urban biodiversity trail.
Constantin Țăposu (Founder of the “Om pe Munte” Association) introduced us to the world of the Om pe Munte Association. He spoke about what motivated them to turn their idea into a large-scale program, about all the projects they have initiated whether purely ecological waste collection projects or the complete rehabilitation of refuges and about how they encourage the rescue of mountain tourism. The Om pe Munte team argues that redesigning mountain refuges in an environmentally friendly way can benefit the protected area, help develop the local community, and, last but not least, promote the concept of mountain and ecological education among tourists.
Caroline Fernolend (Vice President of the Mihai Eminescu Trust Foundation) spoke about the village of Viscri (included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999) from the perspective of local attractions and development through sustainable tourism. The intended goal is the responsible capitalization of natural and cultural heritage by protecting and conserving it, by strengthening the community and the communal spirit, as well as by developing local entrepreneurship and cultural tourism.
Maria Stoian (Honorary President and Founder of ANTREC Romania) brought a relevant aspect of tourism up for debate: hospitality. Whether instinctive or studied beforehand, it is, according to Mrs. Stoian, the key way to integrate the tourist into the community they are visiting.
Panel 2 – Creative Tourism and Marketing
Anda Maxim (Co-founder of Experience Romania) gathered around her a handful of people who were aware of the shortcomings of tourism promotion in Romania. They brought together more than a hundred volunteers and several organizations and put their ideas into practice. It turned out to be not just another project, but the largest tourism promotion project in the country.
Alina Ovesea (Co-founder of Toura) addresses many audience groups and communities through her project. Whether we are talking about marking mountain trails created by mountain associations, NGOs wanting to promote the immovable cultural heritage of a city like Bucharest, an association aiming to encourage agritourism in a specific area, or a cycling association aiming to record bike tours that can later be taken by those seeking outdoor activities, Toura is the application that allows the creation of tours according to their creator’s own vision.
Crista Buznea (Sustainability Marketing and Communication Manager, TUI UK). At TUI UK, the slogan goes something like this: “Better Holidays, better world.” TUI implements and promotes a set of rules through which environmental impact is managed, good working conditions are ensured, animals and children are kept safe, and local products are accessible to tourists, both for tasting and for purchase. Furthermore, tourists have the chance to get involved in one of the local projects of the TUI Care Foundation.
Ion Borșan (Director of Merg.În) presented some of the products and tools developed through the projects of the Amfiteatru Foundation. Mention can be made of Walk & Shoot, Merg.In, the National Tourism Photography Salon, Cosy Romania, the International Journal for Responsible Tourism, and the Glocal Romania Cluster.
Thank you to all our participants, speakers, and partners.
Partners: National Museum of Romanian History (MNIR), ADR SV Oltenia, Origo, Hotel Golden Tulip Times, Colosseum Restaurant
Media Partners: Merg.În, AJTR, Turismbalneo.ro, Poveștidecalatorie.ro
Our special thanks go in particular to the General Director of MNIR – Dr. Ernest Oberländer-Târnoveanu, to the Deputy Director – Paul Damian, to Andreea Bîrzu, and to the entire museum team.
Photo: Ștefan Trăsnea