Sustainable tourism can contribute to local economic development and build trust between communities. Over the years, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Moldova and its partners – the European Union, Switzerland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Japan, Switzerland – have implemented more than 84 infrastructure projects in 71 localities, with a total budget of 12.2 million USD, MOLDPRES reports.
According to UNDP program coordinator Olesea Cazacu, tourism is not only about beautiful landscapes, but also about a catalyst that brings multiple benefits.
In 2021, the Cahul and Ungheni regions created their own brands, a first for the Republic of Moldova, realized with the financial support of the European Union. The developed visual identities have contributed to strengthening competitiveness in multiple areas, including tourism, investment, business attraction, exports, external promotion and attraction of human capital, benefiting rural and urban communities, as well as economic entities, public institutions and public associations, says the UNDP representative.
Likewise, UNDP has adopted the economic clustering approach as one of the main elements for a sustainable, digital and resilient competitive economy. Based on this approach, four tourism clusters have been created in Cahul, Ungheni and Dubăsari: Via Cahul; Maghura Hills; Dniester Heart; Dniester Riviera.