The National Association of Tourist Agencies (ANAT) and the Ilfov County Council have launched a premiere initiative to promote the capital region, organizing the infotour “Rediscover Bucharest and Ilfov”. The importance of this event goes beyond a simple information tour, marking an essential strategic change: treating Bucharest and Ilfov County for the first time as a unitary and complementary tourist destination on the international market. The aim is to strengthen incoming tourism by creating an integrated offer, able to capitalize on the cultural, historical and economic potential of the entire area and offer a more complex experience to foreign tourists.
On September 19-21, 2025, ANAT, in collaboration with Ilfov County Council, brought together a group of travel agents specialized in the incoming segment to explore the potential of a joint Bucharest-Ilfov tourism offer. The main objective of the event was to create attractive packages for foreign visitors, combining the urban hustle and bustle of the capital with its heritage and nearby oases of tranquillity. Hubert Thuma, President of Ilfov County Council, actively supported the initiative, considering tourism an engine of economic development for the youngest county in the European Union.
The three-day program was designed to highlight the complementarity between the two areas. The first day included a narrative tour of Bucharest, covering iconic landmarks such as Manuc’s Inn, CEC Palace, Stavropoleos Monastery and the bohemian atmosphere of the historic center. The second day was dedicated to Ilfov, once nicknamed “the royal garden of Bucharest”, with visits to heritage sites such as Mogoșoaia Palace and the Snagov and Cernica Monasteries. The program also included surprise elements, such as a visit to the “Piscu School” Museum-Workshop and participation in the World Equestrian Endurance Championship in Buftea, as well as a historical moment at the XIII Jilava Fortress.
The event was considered a unanimous success, both by organizers and participants. Dr. Alin Burcea, president of ANAT, called the tour “extraordinary” and confirmed that such actions will continue. The rationale behind this joining together was explained by historian Damian Anfile, who emphasized that the tourist image of the capital is not complete without the surrounding boyar residences and monasteries. In her turn, Mihaela Patentașu, regional president of ANAT, emphasized the duty of the agencies to make the most of this huge potential. The participating travel agents described the experience as “incredible” and “full of valuable information”, emphasizing that the event facilitated effective networking for the development of future tourist packages.