The tourism industry in Moldova is growing despite the challenges caused by Russia’s war of aggression in neighboring Ukraine. The number of visitors to our country increased by 17% last year. An increase of more than 50% was recorded in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of the previous year. The information was presented at the “Moldova Tourism Forum” dedicated to World Tourism Day, marked this year under the slogan “Tourism and Peace”.
Speaking at the Forum, Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan stressed that the culture of a society is actually the biggest advantage and the main tourist destination. In the process of EU integration, the minister believes, the desire to discover Moldova will increase, and Moldova should be ready to offer EU citizens those tourist services that will represent Moldovan authenticity, and for this, the synchronization of all stakeholders is needed.
Ali Ezzatyar, acting head of the USAID Mission to Moldova, said that for at least a decade, USAID has supported programs that capitalize on the unique landscape of Moldova, its traditions to preserve cultural heritage and create economic opportunities for citizens. All of USAID’s rural resilience activities help the tourism sector navigate regional challenges and better fit the market.
Seher Ariner, UNDP deputy resident in Moldova, believes that tourism not only contributes to economic growth, but also stimulates cooperation, which is essential for peaceful cohesion. For the development of rural tourism, it is necessary to direct investments to this sector, which should focus on the improvement of rural infrastructure, access to tourist attractions and the development of tourism-related products, Ariner added. Moreover, UNDP Moldova contributed to the creation of four tourism clusters, which bring together over 80 businesses.
Stella Jemna, the representative of our country at the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, announced that the fund supports the promotion of Moldova by making a documentary, together with other partners. The film about our culture and traditions is scheduled to hit Netflix in 2025, Jemna said.
A Gala of Excellence in Tourism is also set to take place on Friday, where tourism professionals and businesses will receive awards for various achievements.
