Within the framework of the People Powered Tourism project, two Stakeholder Consultation Meetings were organized as a continuation of the Peer Review Visit activities. The meetings brought together key stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of the “Old Chișinău” and “Goian Gorge” tourist routes.
The meetings aimed to review the outcomes of the peer exchange activities, collect feedback from participants, identify development opportunities, and establish future directions for promoting the two tourism routes.
During the consultation dedicated to the urban route “Old Chișinău”, participants discussed the potential of the capital’s cultural and historical heritage, opportunities to integrate it into attractive tourism experiences, and the important role of the local community in creating authentic experiences for visitors. The next steps for strengthening the route as a sustainable tourism product and promoting it at national and international levels were also discussed. In addition, video materials developed within the project were presented to support the future promotion of the route.
During the consultation focused on the rural tourist route “Goian Gorge”, participants highlighted the importance of natural heritage, local traditions, crafts, and community hospitality in creating memorable tourism experiences. Discussions focused on opportunities to diversify tourism offers, strengthen cooperation among local stakeholders, and develop a sustainable tourism model based on active community involvement.
The meetings brought together representatives of the tourism and creative sectors, academia, and public institutions, including Cafe Baba Neagra by Mariana Zabrian, Planeta Moldova – Creative Workshop, Kazak Club – Horse Riding and Recreational Activities, GlassWare Art Studio, Sus pe Deal Tourist Guesthouse, the Department of Economics, Marketing and Tourism of the State University of Moldova (USM), the National Tourism Office of the Republic of Moldova, the National Association for Incoming and Domestic Tourism, Favorit-Tur, urban heritage expert Ion Ștefăniță, as well as representatives of the Tourism Development Section within the General Directorate of Economy, Trade and Tourism of the Chișinău City Hall.
The meetings reaffirmed the shared commitment of all partners to continue cooperation in developing authentic tourism products based on local heritage, community involvement, and sustainable tourism principles. Through joint efforts, the “Old Chișinău” and “Goian Gorge” routes aim to become examples of good practice in creating tourism experiences centered around people, culture, and local identity, in line with the objectives of the People Powered Tourism project.