The document discusses eco-tourism certification in Romania. It presents Eco-Romania, an association that aims to integrate certification within destination management. It outlines the components of eco-tourism, including conservation, education, sustainability, and community development. It also discusses voluntary certification systems like GSTC and Eco-Destinet. Eco-Romania focuses on strategies, marketing, product development, certification, and public awareness. It provides examples of certified destinations like Retezat PAN Park and Calimani NP. Eco-Romania has certified 30 businesses and views certification as part of destination development and marketing. The vision is to develop a strong eco-tourism network in the Carpathian Mountains and Danube Delta.

1. Eco-Romania,
integrating
certification within
destination
management
Andrei Blumer,
Association of Ecotourism in Romania
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2. POSITIONING ECOTOURISM CONCEPT
Nature tourism
Ecotourism Rural
Sustainable
tourism
tourism (Agroturism)
City tourism Beach
tourism
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3. 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
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4. 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

5. Four main directions for AER
Strategies &
Marketing Product development
Certification Public awareness and
media
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6. 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
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7. Retezat PAN Park Destination –
Eco-Romania Network
Retezat NP Region – PAN Park
certified – a network of certified
local products

8. Calimani NP – Tara Dornelor
Destination – Eco-Romania Network
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
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17. Promoted (Eco)Destinations by AER
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20. 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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21. Our Vision
To develop a strong network of ecotourism
destinations in Carpathians
and Danube Delta.
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22. Thank you for attention!
www.eco-romania.ro
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