Description
As a response to the needs of economically neglected communities, the project will build on its’ outstanding natural and cultural heritage by ecotourism development – a mechanism that secures the conservation of nature and sustainable development of local communities. The project aims to optimize the visiting experience of the destination, to build local capacity, to develop a joint environmental policy at the destination’s level and to expand the market segment for the destination. Activities will result in the improvement of tourism infrastructure in 3 protected areas and 29 cultural objectives, 20 craftsmen and artisans will be integrated in the touristic offer and so their products will gain better marketing; tourism and local administration personnel of 5 communes will be trained in responsible tourism practices. Later they will be involved in the development and adoption of environmental policy at the destination level. The ecotourism destination will be promoted by professional interpretation materials and by 12 tour-operators, journalists.The area will gain new categories of clientele securing a better market for the local initiatives.
Summary of project results
As a response to the needs of economically neglected rural communities in mountain areas, the project has built on the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the Maramures region by developing ecotourism – a mechanism that secures conservation and sustainable development for these communities. The objectives of the project included enhancing visiting experiences in the area by completing tourism infrastructure with signalling and interpretive components; at the same time, building up local capacities for key personnel involved in tourism and local administration in sustainable tourism practices was also necessary. Developing a shared environmental policy, increasing the market niche for the destination and local initiatives by promoting the new ecotourism offer were also objectives of the project. At the end of the project, a more attractive destination was delivered, elevating the classical image of Maramures (wood tradition in the local architecture), with new elements of experiencing nature and traditions linked to it. An interpretation plan was developed and used for communication materials and interpretation infrastructure set in the project. The tourism infrastructure was enhanced in 3 protected areas and interpretation boards were set at 29 cultural objectives involving 15 volunteers from local communities. 20 craftsmen were promoted and integrated in the touristic offer. 25 tourism service suppliers and 100 local administration representatives from the 4 communes of the destination (Budesti, Desesti, Ocna Sugatag, Calinesti) were trained in responsible tourism practices and then further involved in developing and implementing the environmental policy at the Mara-Cosau-Creasta Cocosului destination level. Other 8 guesthouse managers received coaching for ecotourism certification. Also, during the project, professional interpretation materials were published (1000 maps and 3000 pocket guides) and 13 tour operators and travel writers tested the ecotourism offer (becoming advertising partners by publishing their articles).
Summary of bilateral results