The “Băile Tușnad and Surroundings” area, consisting of the administrative-territorial units (ATU) of Băile Tușnad, Cozmeni, Sâncrăieni, Sânsimion, Sântimbru, and Tușnad (Harghita County), represents Romania’s 7th ecotourism destination recognized by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MAT).
The “Ecotourism Destination” concept has been developed since 2012 by the central public authority for tourism, in partnership with representative national institutions and organizations (the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, the National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism, and the Association of Ecotourism in Romania), based on the National Ecotourism Strategy, the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC), and the European Ecotourism Standard (EETLS). At that time, Romania was the first country in Europe to launch such a recognition system for ecotourism destinations.
In previous years, the commission for designating ecotourism destinations in Romania, composed of representatives from the four institutions mentioned above, evaluated the fulfillment of criteria and granted ecotourism destination status to the following areas:
- Transylvanian Hills (Colinele Transilvaniei), an ecotourism destination consisting of 39 ATUs in Brașov, Mureș, and Sibiu counties (status obtained in 2022 for a 3-year period);
- Retezat – Hațeg Country (Țara Hațegului), an ecotourism destination consisting of 9 ATUs in Hunedoara County (status obtained in 2016 for a 3-year period; extended in 2019 and 2021 for 18 months and 3 years, respectively);
- Dorna Country (Țara Dornelor), an ecotourism destination consisting of 10 ATUs in Suceava County (status obtained in 2019 for a 3-year period);
- Mara – Cosău – Rooster’s Crest (Creasta Cocoșului), an ecotourism destination consisting of 4 ATUs in Maramureș County (status obtained in 2014 for a 3-year period; extended in 2017 for 3 years);
- Bison Land (Ținutul Zimbrului), an ecotourism destination consisting of 5 ATUs in Neamț County (status obtained in 2016 for 3 years);
- Zărnești – Piatra Craiului, an ecotourism destination consisting of the Zărnești ATU, Brașov County (status obtained in 2014 for 3 years).
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria define an ecotourism destination in Romania?
Destinations are evaluated based on the National Ecotourism Strategy, Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC), and the European Ecotourism Standard (EETLS).
Which municipalities are included in the Băile Tușnad destination?
The area includes the administrative units of Băile Tușnad, Cozmeni, Sâncrăieni, Sânsimion, Sântimbru, and Tușnad in Harghita County.
Was Romania a pioneer in ecotourism recognition?
Yes, Romania was the first European country to launch a formal recognition system for ecotourism destinations starting in 2012.