The Government, at the initiative of the relevant ministry, has repealed, through an emergency ordinance, the provisions introduced in 2017 regarding tourism attachés. The 40 positions designated for tourism attachés will be redistributed within the structures established at the level of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism.
Within the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism, “tourism attaché” positions were established in 2017. These employees were intended to ensure Romania’s representation in both European Union member states and third countries in the field of tourism policy and the promotion of tourism products and services, as well as domestic forms of tourism.
While in 2017, within the Ministry of Tourism, 15 positions were allocated for the external tourism promotion network, the number of tourism attaché positions has currently reached 40.
According to current decision-makers in the field, in the four years since the creation of the tourism attaché network, it has not been functional.
Relative to the total number of positions, tourism attachés represent 5% of the total positions provided for in the staffing plan of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism.
“In this context, we believe that the policy of promoting tourism in target and emerging foreign markets can be achieved through the representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism within the external trade network,” the ministry states.
“The priority regarding the development of tourism and increasing Romania’s visibility as a tourist destination both domestically and in foreign markets is the implementation of the reform regarding the regulation of the establishment of Destination Management Organizations in a multi-level structure, by involving all stakeholders as much as possible, especially those from the private sector who represent the main actors interested in the tourist success of destinations, in the decision-making process regarding the course of action in promotion activities—a reform also proposed within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan,” the relevant ministry further indicates. At the same time, Romania’s representation in both European Union member states and third countries in the field of tourism policy and the promotion of tourism products and services, as well as domestic forms of tourism, will also be carried out through the external commercial-economic representation network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the tourism attaché positions abolished?The positions were abolished because the network was deemed non-functional over the past four years, and the government aims to streamline external representation by redistributing these roles.
Who will handle Romania’s tourism promotion abroad now?Promotion will be managed by representatives within the Ministry of Economy’s external trade network and through the newly proposed Destination Management Organizations (DMOs).
What is the role of Destination Management Organizations in this reform?DMOs are intended to involve private sector stakeholders more deeply in the decision-making process for tourism promotion, a reform that is also part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).