Tourism Agency sets out objectives

A number of 260 economic entities work in Moldova's tourism industry at present, but most of the services provided by them do not meet the international standards in the field, said Ludmila Dumitras, the director general of the Tourism Agency, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Thus, the Tourism Agency decided to verify the criteria used to classify the tourist accommodation facilities, examine the complaints about the quality of the tourist services and monitor the tourist associations and accommodation facilities so that they work in accordance with their status. The Tourism Agency aims to stimulate the activities aimed at promoting Moldova as tourist destination country abroad by printing guidebooks and informative materials about the accommodation facilities, best restaurants and cultural traditions and events. Emphasis will be laid on internal tourism. According to the Tourism Agency's data, the internal tourism in some countries makes up over 70% of the tourist flows. The Agency will also assess the tourism patrimony of the country. There are 11,000 historical and cultural sights, 178 types of reserves and 130 natural monuments in Moldova. The Tourism Agency is a central administrative authority subordinate to the Government, not to the Ministry of Culture as earlier. Its 22 employees formulate and promote the state tourism policies.