EC certifies the first two Romanian ecotourism destinations

The European Commission (EC) gave the okay to the first two Romanian ecotourism destinations: Z?rne?ti-Piatra Craiului, in Bra?ov County and Creasta Coco?ului-Mara-Cos?u in Maramure?. The two regions received their certificates on Tuesday at the EC General Assembly for Tourism in Brasov, according to Yahoo News.

Besides fine guesthouses, Z?rne?ti bears’ reservation is one of the main attractions of the town. Located at the outskirts, the reservation has been created in 2005 and is the first natural one for captive bears in Romania. Also known as Bear Sanctuary Z?rne?ti, the reservation is home for 72 brown bears from Europe and one’s black Asian bear, most of them having been saved from a cruel and abusive life in captivity.

Where else rather than in Maramure? could be the second destination placed? Maramure? is luring tourists with its famous unique craftwork wooden churches, gateways and houses, great views and traditional art crafts, music and food.

What makes an ecotourism destination? At least two thirds of the services have to be related to nature, more than half of the accommodation to be small lodgings built of traditional materials and bio healthy local food.

The former Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism launched the evaluation standards for ecotourism destinations in November 2012. Thus Romania became the first country in Europe to embark on this project.