German investor Jonas Schäfer has developed the Valea Verde agritourism complex in the village of Cund, Mureș County, a sustainable business model that directly supports the local community. Initiated in 2007 through the restoration of an abandoned Saxon house, the project has grown significantly, currently offering permanent jobs for a significant part of the local population and attracting a high percentage of international tourists.
According to details provided by Jonas Schäfer in an interview, the Valea Verde complex currently comprises 92 houses, a restaurant, a garden, an organic swimming lake, and a beach club. The business has a major social impact on the village of Cund (which has a population of 140 inhabitants) and the neighboring village of Gogan, currently employing 32 people on payroll with active employment contracts throughout the year. The founders, permanently settled in Romania since 2003, also managed King Charles’s properties in the region for two years before the pandemic.
Regarding the customer structure, it has stabilized at a ratio of 60% foreign tourists (especially from Germany and the United Kingdom) and 40% Romanian tourists. Schäfer highlighted that, in addition to the historical challenges of defining a rural tourism concept at a time when it barely existed in 2007—overcome through collaboration with partners in Viscri and Breb—the business was recently affected by the pandemic and the proximity of the conflict in Ukraine, which influences foreign tourists’ decisions to visit the region. Furthermore, the entrepreneur pointed out the lack of a coherent government strategy and promotion budgets for Romanian tourism, highlighting the essential role of local public-private initiatives, such as the Visit Mureș association.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Valea Verde and where is it located?
Valea Verde is a sustainable agritourism complex located in the village of Cund, Mureș County, Romania, developed by German investor Jonas Schäfer.
How does Valea Verde impact the local community?
The complex employs 32 permanent staff from Cund and the neighboring village of Gogan, providing vital year-round jobs in a village of just 140 residents.
What challenges does rural tourism in Romania face according to the founder?
Key challenges include the lack of a coherent government strategy and promotion budgets, alongside external factors like the pandemic and regional geopolitical tensions.