Fondatorul resortului ZagaZaga are in plan noi investitii de 5 mil. EUR
Entrepreneur Eugen Radu has invested €9 million, sourced from European funds through the Operational Programme for Fisheries (POP), into a tourist complex in the Siret Delta named ZagaZaga, and is now planning new investments of €5 million.
Thus, the founders of the ZagaZaga resort in the Siret Delta plan to increase the number of accommodation spots by another 100 in 2021 and aim to double them in 2022, given the growing demand, despite the area not being exploited for tourism at all until six years ago.
“In 2021, we want another 100 new accommodation spots in 35 rooms. There will be new yurts with their own 10 sqm bathrooms, with 70 sqm of usable space, sofas, including treehouses or with water pontoons. From a weekend destination, it has become a holiday destination. We are now thinking about a holiday project for children from Monday to Friday and a holiday for adults from Friday to Sunday. The average length of a stay is 4 days, but we also have clients who stay longer. We have an adventure park, a pool, tennis courts, boat trips, and an animal farm,” stated Eugen Radu, who manages the resort alongside his daughter, Francesca Radu, and his sister, Camelia Dobrișan.
The complex includes 41 mobile bungalows, 10 floating houses, 26 yurts, a fish restaurant (cherhana), a barn for private and corporate events, as well as an adventure park, a pool, and two tennis courts, with the total investment in this business amounting to approximately €10 million.
The maximum accommodation capacity that ZagaZaga currently has is 200 people. All restaurants can serve over 2,000 people per day. The ZagaZaga complex currently spans a total area of 82 hectares.
“Last year, while we were open, even under conditions where the restaurant was closed and the pool did not operate at full capacity, we managed even in those months to exceed the 2019 results.”
For this year, he estimates a turnover increase between 50% and 100%.
Eugen Radu specified that next year he intends to double the accommodation capacity and hopes to be able to organize the three festivals – a classical music festival, an acoustic music festival, and a modern music festival.
The initial investment in this project was €5 million (excluding VAT) in 2014, with the company accessing European funds through the Operational Programme for Fisheries (POP), with the support of CEC Bank.
The funds were used only for the fish farming component, in investments in the sturgeon farm and lake dredging.
The next step involves the expansion of the resort but also capitalizing on the farm’s potential.
“This year, we will implement the farm breakfast with products delivered to the room directly from the farm. We want to implement the possibility of kayaking on the Siret to the Danube. We have also started processing fish, producing caviar, zacusca, and smoked fish. Half of the farm is stocked with sturgeon. The caviar is currently only for the clients in the complex. We have 50 tons of sturgeon in the hall, and about 60 tons of trout. We are a large producer, but we want everything that leaves the farm to go directly to the consumer, not to stores or restaurants,” stated Eugen Radu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total investment planned for the ZagaZaga resort?
In addition to the initial €9-10 million investment, the founder plans to invest another €5 million to expand accommodation and facilities.
What types of accommodation are available at ZagaZaga?
The resort offers a variety of unique options, including mobile bungalows, floating houses, and large yurts, some of which are located in trees or feature water pontoons.
Does the resort produce its own food?
Yes, the complex includes a large fish farm producing sturgeon, trout, caviar, and smoked fish, which are served directly to guests as part of a farm-to-table concept.