Sustainable tourism and how citizens’ engagement can ensure sustainable tourism policies at the local level, Bucharest, Romania, 9 April 2025
- Tessy Melidi
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
On April 9, 2025, the National Union of County Councils of Romania (UNCJR) organized the first workshop for the CERV project “Green Cities–Active Cities,” hosted at Casa Timiș – a nationally recognized best practice of sustainable tourism. The event, titled “Sustainable tourism and how citizens’ engagement can ensure sustainable tourism policies at the local level”, brought together the project partners from Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia and Hungary.
The official opening was led by Sorin Munteanu, General Director of UNCJR, who presented the national legislative framework on sustainable tourism, underlining Romania's commitment to developing a responsible and balanced tourism sector. In his speech, he highlighted the key regulations and strategies in Romania.
Tessy Melidi, the project coordinator, presented the main objectives of the “Green Cities–Active Cities” project, along with the events calendar, emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement in shaping sustainable tourism policies at the local level.
Bianca Moască, Communication Manager from the Brașov County Council, shared two relevant best practice examples from the Transylvania region, highlighting the importance of fostering responsible and community-oriented tourism.
The first example focused on the project “From the Alps to the Carpathians – strengthening governance models for sustainable development of mountain areas in Central Europe,” implemented by Brasov County Council. The project aims to strengthen and improve governance models in the Alpine-Carpathian mountain regions of Central Europe, with a strong emphasis on cross-border and transnational cooperation to address shared challenges for sustainable development in mountain areas.
The second example was “The Road that Unites – Via Transilvanica,” a national initiative that promotes rural development, community engagement, and sustainable tourism across ten counties in Romania, including Brașov. Via Transilvanica connects communities through heritage and nature, becoming a symbol of unity and resilience. The route encourages eco-tourism, local gastronomy, and authentic rural experiences, offering visitors a responsible and culturally rich exploration of the regions it crosses.
Marian Șerban, sustainable tourism expert from Casa Timiș, presented how the resort has successfully implemented best practices in sustainable tourism, with a strong focus on local community involvement. Notable initiatives include green rooftops, electric carts for luggage transportation, a pond with aquatic life, the promotion of local products, and the use of solar panels for energy efficiency. Casa Timiș has built its approach around three essential pillars: premium hospitality – local community – sustainability.
Each international partner also presented concrete examples of sustainable tourism from their own country, illustrating the diversity of approaches and initiatives across Europe. These included: Tilos Island in Greece – a model of sustainable island living; Minthis Resort in Cyprus – known for its harmonious integration into the natural landscape; the harvest festival in Pacsa, Hungary – which celebrates local traditions and ecological agriculture; Vila Galé Collection Braga in Portugal – a successful example of heritage-based tourism; the city of Ljubljana in Slovenia – a recognized European leader in green tourism; as well as the rural destinations of Polinyà de Xúquer, Corbera, and Llaurí in Spain – all promoting community-based tourism. Additionally, The Gardens of Komotini in Greece were highlighted as a project that blends urban sustainability with community access to green and recreational spaces.
In the second part of the day, participants had the opportunity to explore the sustainability features of Casa Timiș through an interactive Treasure Hunt. Each received a map of the location, and on the back were listed 12 sustainable elements which the partners were challenged to identify—helping them gain deeper insight into how sustainability principles can be integrated into tourism infrastructure and services.
Lunch was served at Veranda, nestled between vineyards, offering not just a culinary experience but also a tangible connection to the region’s sustainable agricultural practices. After lunch, attendees embarked on a short exploration of the vineyard complex, searching for clues about sustainable tourism hidden among the vines—a playful yet educational activity that reinforced the workshop’s themes.
The day concluded with free time for participants to discover the vibrant city of Bucharest, followed by a dinner at Caru' cu Bere, a historic restaurant known as the “soul of Bucharest.” This allowed guests to immerse themselves in local culture and hospitality, rounding out a day dedicated to learning, networking, and celebrating sustainable tourism.
The workshop at Casa Timiș highlighted the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange in promoting sustainable tourism. Through hands-on activities and practical examples, participants demonstrated that citizen engagement, local resource valorization, and the integration of sustainability principles can transform tourism into a genuine driver of responsible development.
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