Tourism associations combine forces to increase number of foreign tourists

14.03.2017 17:40
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The Republic of Moldova is annually visited by about 15,000 foreign tourists who use the services of travel agencies. Several professional tourism associations aim to increase the figure to 150,000 tourists a year during five years. Such statements were made for IPN by Alexandru Filipski, president of the Tourism Promotion Federation of Moldova.

Alexandru Filipski said about 3 million entrances to Moldova are annually registered, but this figure does not represent the number of tourists. About 60% of those who cross the border are Moldovans with Romanian passports.

“There are about 15,000 tourists who come to Moldova through travel agencies,” stated Alexandru Filipski. The tourism associations that signed a partnership agreement to develop inbound tourism and to increase the figure ten times during five years. This objective can be achieved if the legislation is amended. This is one of the priorities defined in the agreement. They also plead for a broader independence of guides. Currently, these can organize circuits for tourists only through travel agencies and this blocks their activity.

“We want to support inbound tourism and to lay emphasis on those who come to Moldova, are accommodated and benefit from services in the Republic of Moldova,” said Alexandru Filipski.

Among the most popular tourist attractions, he mentioned Orheiul Vechi, Cricova, Soroca Fortress and the monasteries located near Chisinau. There were created about 20 circuits that are organized by Moldovan tourist guides.

Alexandru Filipski also said that the second edition of the Tourism Gala of Moldova will be held soon. Ten places of interest to attract foreign tourists will be presented there. The tourism associations also set the goal of including the monasteries of Moldova into circuits that cover the historical Moldova and the monasteries in Romania’s Suceava.

The partnership agreement was signed by the National Inbound Tourism Association of Moldova, the National Association of Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism, the Tourism Promotion Federation of Moldova the Tourism Development Association of Moldova and the Center for Wine Tourism Promotion of Moldova. The signatories invite all the tourism associations to join in.