Description
The population in the Danube Delta is isolated and due to the specific of the region, has a limited range of choices for occupations. This leads to the necessity to develop specific trades, such as tourism, while preventing to damage the environment. The objective of the project is to promote ecotourism and the Crișan- Caraorman- Mila23 ecotourism destination via an educational approach and to develop the marketing identity of the destination. An educational program will be developed for pupils/ teachers regarding ecotourism. The marketing identity/ registered trademark of the region will be developed as well, which is the prerequisite for the ecotourism destination certification. Soft tourism infrastructure and information materials will be developed. Study visits at the birds Sanctuary in Caraorman, and training programs for guesthouse operators will be organized. A visitation and orientation infrastructure will be developed in the birds Sanctuary and an education and promotion center will be opened in Bucharest. From the project will benefit the local population, local owners of guesthouses and other businesses, tourists and public administration.
Summary of project results
The Danube Delta is an isolated area, with great natural and touristic potential but limited human and financial resources. This scarcity of resources is prompted precisely by the isolation, which, on the other hand, is adding value to the touristic features of the land. The lack of education and the apparent lack of opportunities are driving the young people out of the area. The chance to reach a balanced and sustainable development comes with the empowerment of the human capital and opening of new opportunities for the local inhabitants. Thus, the project created the prerequisites for promoting and developing the Crisan-Mila 23-Caraorman ecotourism destination. The project promoted eco-tourism and the Crisan-Mila 23-Caraorman ecotourism destination via an educational approach and developing a marketing identity of the destination. The educational programme put in place included the development of a handbook on local pride which was to be used by young pupils, as well as educational activities and thematic trips. The main features of the Danube Delta were presented from a sustainable, eco-friendly tourism point of view. 90 people (pupils and teachers) participated to this programme. The material and the format of the educational activities were made to be used again and improved by teachers working in the communities. The process of defining a collective trade mark was initiated. At first, the collective trade mark has been registered. Then, the first bird sanctuary in Romania was set up in an old abandoned facility, reclaimed by nature over the last years. An orientation device has been set up in Crisan, to offer information regarding the ecotourism routes in the area. Training on eco-tourism has been delivered to tourist operators and a cuisine route “Peste ca la Mila 23” (“Fish prepared like in Mila 23”) was set up, reaching 5 households and valorising their culinary traditions. Also, a traditional oven in one of the households was renewed. Seven ringtones with bird chirping have been developed, to promote the wild life of the Delta. At the same time, an information centre on the Danube Delta and its birds has been set up in Bucharest, at the Village Museum. Near the Information Centre, in the Herastrau Lake, 2 floating islands for birds nesting were created. Also 3 traditional fisherman boats (Lotca) were produced and are now available for visitors at the venue.
Summary of bilateral results