The National Incoming Tourism Association of Moldova has launched three new types of tourist routes: hikes, kayaking and cycling. These were developed by tourism operators with support from the development partners - USAID, Sweden and UK Aid, through the Moldovan Competitiveness Project (MCP).

The tourists could go on hikes in Codrilor region, near Sadova village, at Crama Tudor, which is a small winemaker, could go kayaking or boating on the Răut, in the cultural-natural reserve Orheiul Vechi or on the Nistru, developed by Kayaking Tours, or could ride along a new cycling itinerary on the Chisinau–Palanca road, developed by Velo Point.

The three tourism service providers (Crama Tudor, Kayaking Tours, Velo Point) benefitted from grants and assistance from the Moldovan Competitiveness Project in purchasing bicycles, kayaks, equipment that increased the quality of the provided tourism services.

“On these routes, one can see a lot of impressive landscapes and can stop at different tourist attractions. These are new adventure routes that can be exploited during the pandemic too,” the Association’s director Victoria Bucătaru stated for IPN.

The event to launch the new routes will take place on August 1-2, within the promotion campaign “Rediscover Moldova”, and will involve a small group of invitees so as to ensure the observance of the epidemiological rules.

MCP works closely with the Moldovan Government, tour operators and other value chain players to enhance Moldova’s image as a tourism destination, and increase demand in the international marketplace. Targeted marketing campaigns in regional and European source markets, familiarization trips to achieve positive foreign media coverage for Moldova, and participation in international trade fairs to strengthen business ties between Moldovan tour operators and their international counterparts all aim to increase the numbers of foreign tourists each year.  In 2014, the project helped to develop and promote the national tourism brand “Life Tree”.