The Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism (MEAT) announces that Romania has a new ecotourism destination: Vama Buzăului, a locality situated at the foot of the Ciucaș Mountains, which has obtained MEAT recognition.
The certification was granted after verifying compliance on the ground with 100 eligibility criteria outlined in the National Ecotourism Development Strategy (2019-2029). The inspections were conducted by a commission comprising specialists from MEAT, the Ministry of Environment, Waters, and Forests, the National Institute for Tourism Research and Development, and the Association of Ecotourism Romania.
Thus, Vama Buzăului became the eighth ecotourism destination in Romania to benefit from MEAT recognition. The full list of all localities holding this distinction can be consulted at this link.
The Ecotourism Destination concept was developed starting in 2012 by the central public authority for tourism, in partnership with representative national institutions and organizations, based on the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) and the European Ecotourism Standard (EETLS).
At that time (2012), Romania was the first country in Europe to launch such a recognition system for ecotourism destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the newest ecotourism destination in Romania?
Vama Buzăului, located at the foot of the Ciucaș Mountains, is the latest locality to be officially recognized by the Ministry.
How many ecotourism destinations are there currently in Romania?
There are now eight officially recognized ecotourism destinations in Romania that meet the national strategy standards.
What standards are used to certify these destinations?
The system is based on 100 eligibility criteria, incorporating the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria and the European Ecotourism Standard.