Nine tourism industry associations want to reunite into a single structure, with a unified message, and are also demanding the establishment of the „Romanian Tourism Organization,” a public-private entity that would allow collaboration between public authorities and the private sector.
The promotion of Romania must be a priority for central and local authorities. From the choice of Romania’s participation in tourism fairs to the dissolution of promotion offices abroad, the relevant authorities have made unilateral decisions without the involvement of the private sector, which could have contributed through know-how or to a better visibility of the country internationally.
They state that the Tourism Law needs to project a vision of tourism at the national level, centered on the concept of destination and the destination management organization (DMO) at both the local and national level (RTO). This approach is absent from the proposed tourism law, even though it should have been its core.
The nine associations are:
– National Association of Travel Agencies (ANAT)
– Association of Ecotourism in Romania (AER)
– Bucharest Tourism Board (BTB)
– Coalition for the Development of Romania (CDR)
– Federation of Tourism Promotion Associations (FAPT)
– Federation of the Hotel Industry in Romania (FIHR)
– Employer Organization of Hotels and Restaurants in Romania (HORA)
– Employer Organization of Spa Tourism in Romania (OPTBR)
– Tourism Professionals Club (SKAL).
Source: Profit
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the nine tourism associations?
The associations aim to form a unified structure with a single voice to better collaborate with public authorities and improve national tourism promotion.
What is the “Romanian Tourism Organization” (ORT)?
The ORT is a proposed public-private entity designed to facilitate cooperation between the government and the private sector for strategic tourism development.
Why is the current Tourism Law being criticized?
Industry leaders argue the law lacks a national vision and fails to integrate the concept of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) as a central element.