The Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Irineu Darău, has announced the updating of the Master Plan for investments in tourism, a decision motivated by the need to align financing strategies to the current realities on the ground. The official said that in recent years, funds have been directed mainly to the construction component, neglecting investments in the tourist experience itself, which required a revision of the rules to better respond to market needs.
The new form of the Masterplan introduces ecotourism as a clear funding direction, aiming at the development of landscaped tourist trails, wildlife observatories, visitor centers and light infrastructure for hiking or cycling, all carried out with respect for nature and local identity. The strategy also emphasizes recreational infrastructure to extend the tourist season, including theme parks, aquaparks, ice-skating rinks, marinas and lake facilities. The Minister emphasized that these projects will be supported only where they can generate real economic activity for communities, avoiding investments without utility.
Spa tourism remains a strategic priority, with further investment in treatment centers, spa complexes, medical equipment and recreational areas, given the potential of Romania’s natural resources to support health tourism. Irineu Darău explained that the new vision, especially in mountain areas, is no longer about new buildings, but about creating integrated systems – trails, information points and activities – that will extend the length of stay of tourists and generate long-term revenues for the local economy.