The international exhibition “Tourism & Travel Expo” was officially opened at the Exhibitions Center “Moldexpo”. For three days, representatives of national and international guesthouses, wineries and travel agencies will present their offers for 2024. Through this event, the organizers aim to promote the authentic traditions and folklore, elements of tourist attractions, both for the local public and for foreign tourists, IPN reports.
Attending the inauguration, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan said that this exhibition, which is already at its 27th edition, represents the most important event in the field of tourism. “I greet the guests of this fair – traditionally Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and, for the first time, Armenia. Certainly, these destinations are extremely important for tourists from Moldova, who are looking for new experiences, authentic values to be discovered so as to know better the traditional areas of Romania and also the culture, heritage of other countries,” stated the minister.
The exhibition also promotes domestic tourist attractions, which contribute to the development of the Republic of Moldova as an attractive destination, with cultural heritage, valuable architecture, authentic wines, authentic gastronomy and proper locations for stays. “We must persuade that the Republic of Moldova is an extremely attractive tourist destination, first of all by the fact that our cultural heritage, its valorization in the eyes of guests from abroad, is our most important objective,” noted Sergiu Prodan.
The exhibition involves local travel agencies and tour operators, members of the National Association of Tourism Economic Agents and of the Employers’ Association of the Tourism Industry of the Republic of Moldova. In total, over 60 participants from the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Armenia announced their presence. The goal of the participants is to support cultural, rural, adventure, gastronomic and wine tourism, according to the traditions and customs of the country they represent.
Rural tourism will be represented by local public authorities. The district councils of Cahul, Calarasi, Criuleni, Glodeni, Drochia, Ialoveni, Nisporeni, Orhei, Straseni, Stefan Voda, Ungheni and ATU Gagauzia will present their tourism products. They will also participate in a contest-festival to present folk traditions. According to the conditions of the contest, the stands will be arranged in the style specific to the region they represent. The participants will also demonstrate the national costume in a special gorge. The belt dance, performed, according to tradition, only by men will be one of the most important elements of the contest.
Romania is present with a country stand with a traditional theme, where handicrafts, traditional dishes and, last but not least, vacation offers are exhibited. Thematic routes are also promoted. Bulgaria, which is one of the most favorite destinations of Moldovan tourists, has a stand with tourist offers developed for the entire 2024. Slovakia participates again in the exhibition with the intention to cooperate with national travel agencies, but also to present the country from a new perspective to Moldovan tourists.
Armenia is represented by a travel agency based in Yerevan. Visitors have the opportunity to get acquainted with a new destination designed to surprise with the gastronomy, architecture and culture of this Caucasian country.
The exhibition is open until Sunday, 4 p.m. “Tourism & Travel Expo” 2024 was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, the National Tourism Office and the International Exhibition Center “Moldexpo” JSC with the subsidized support of the Public Institution “Organization for Entrepreneurship Development”.
