Three rural pensions called “Casa din lunca” (“Everglade house”), “Casa de sub stanca” (“Cliff house”) and “Casa verde” (“Green house”) were inaugurated after renovation in the region of the cultural-natural reserve Orheiul Vechi on October 18. The renovation works were financially supported by the Moldova Competitiveness Project that is financed by USAID and the Government of Sweden. The reconstruction works lasted for over 16 months and cost over US$ 120,000, IPN reports.
Thus, the three houses improved the accommodation conditions, renewed and decorated the guest rooms, extended the lodging capacity and diversified services. Andrei Chistol, secretary of state at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, said the rethinking of the rural pensions is an activity by which the tourism sector and the country’s cultural heritage can be developed. “These activities form part of the Memorandum of Understanding for developing and promoting the cultural-natural reserve Orheiul Vechi as a first tourist destination in the country as the potential of the rural and cultural tourism there is great and these are important elements that should be put to good use,” stated Andrei Chistol.
Daniel Thomson, Director of the Economic Growth Office of USAID Moldova, said he is sure that the three rural pensions will contribute to stimulating rural tourism in Moldova, which can become a sustainable and competitive industry that will offer jobs to villagers. “Polls with foreign tourists when leaving Moldova show the foreign visitors appreciate most the hospitality of Moldovans as the rural pensions perfectly embody hospitality by keeping traditions and serving tourists in an authentic way. USAID and the Government of Sweden supported the renovation of the rural pensions so that these are aligned with the international service standards,” stated Daniel Thomson.
“The Government of Sweden joins the efforts made in the tourism industry to develop the tourist offer of Moldova, especially in regions. The modernization of accommodation units in villages is an important step towards reinventing rural pensions in Moldova as tourist destinations with the aim of fostering the development of the sector, which consequently has a positive impact on the country’s economy,” First Secretary at the Embassy of Sweden in Moldova Thomas Alveteg said in the inaugural ceremony.
Six pensions have been renovated so far in the region of the cultural-natural reserve Orheiul Vechi within the “Hospitality + Moldova” program of the Moldova Competitiveness Project. Currently, about ten of the 26 rural pensions registered in Moldova provide tourist services compliant with the Western standards.
