Ecotourism: A Driver of Sustainable Development in the Lower Dniester National Park. Over 100 Visitors Explore the Region’s Potential in an Informative Tour (Photo)
What is ecotourism and how can sustainable tourism be promoted? To better understand how an ecotourism model works, a regional informational tour was organized in the Lower Dniester National Park. On March 29, 2025, over 100 participants, including some from the left bank of the Dniester, explored and got to know the “Lower Dniester” region, with financial support from the EU program “Confidence Building Measures,” implemented by UNDP.
The participants visited several areas along the ecotourism route, including Hagimus, Ștefan Vodă, Tudora, Purcari, Răscăieți, Talmaza, and Grădinița. At each stop, different thematic activities took place:
- cleanup actions;
- tree planting;
- local product tastings;
- discussions with local communities;
- presentations about the ecotourism potential of the region.
The topics covered included integrated ecotourism models, youth and community involvement, promotion of green destinations, and the development of cross-river cooperation networks.
An essential aspect of the event was the participation of business representatives and tourism partners from the left bank of the Dniester. Their presence provided an opportunity for experience sharing and demonstrated mutual interest in developing common, sustainable, and cooperative tourism routes.
The day concluded with the drafting of a resolution that included recommendations for expanding local partnerships, developing green infrastructure, integrating heritage into the tourism offer, and promoting the Lower Dniester destination as a model of good practice for sustainable tourism. The informational tour served as an example of civic mobilization, dialogue, and collaboration for the benefit of the region.
