Since January, rural residents are legally allowed to serve meals to tourists in their homes, if they start working as a PFA and become accredited as gastronomic points.
Tourists can stay at a hotel or a guesthouse, but can have lunch or dinner in a local’s home in the area.
Those working in tourism say that the Delta, where tourists are somewhat "captive," gains the most from this measure, with over 100 such gastronomic points expected to appear this year.
„Several gastronomic points have already been accredited in the Delta after the law allowed this since January. This means that the tourist can legally eat at someone’s home, because locals have been allowed, since January, to put food on the tourist’s table, provided that all products are from the garden or from fish caught in the Delta,” declared the president of the Danube Delta Tourism Destination Management Association (AMDTDD), Catalin Tibuleac.
To be accredited and appear in tourism guides as a gastronomic point, a local must register as a PFA. All these gastronomic points will also be recommended by tour guides or boat drivers, who will provide information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gastronomic point?
A gastronomic point is a private home in a rural area where locals are legally allowed to serve traditional meals to tourists using local ingredients.
What are the requirements for locals to open a gastronomic point?
Locals must register as an Authorized Natural Person (PFA) and obtain accreditation to serve meals legally.
Where is this initiative most popular?
The Danube Delta is the primary beneficiary, with over 100 gastronomic points expected to open this year.