ANTREC helps make Romania proud

Medieval architecture, quiantness and charm are uniquely blended in one of Romania's most picturesque counties. Sibiu, with it's unity of Romanian and German culture, is being named the 2007 European cultural capital giving the National Association for Rural Tourism, Ecological and Cultural (ANTREC) reason to be excited.


Speaking exclusively to BBW Maria Stoian, president of ANTREC said: "Romania has a lot to offer to any type of traveler. We have great structures for sight seeing like the famous monasteries in the Bucovina area, activities for outdoor enthusiasts like skiing, fishing, hiking, horse back riding and many more. ANTREC is an association that identifies, develops and promotes the Romanian hospitality and rural tourism."
Trying to listen and understand what the tourists want Stoian said: "Our challenge is to try and promote the country through tourist village destinations." Adding, "We try to encourage the continuation of traditions by organizing events. ANTREC branches visit various handicraft artists to encourage their work by educating them about the importance of their craft to the nation."
As part of rural tourism, she noted: "Romania offers various types of excellent handicrafts. To name a few, Suceava offers colorful painted eggs, while intricate weavings can be found in Dolj and Gorj; exceptional wooden sculptures are located in Vrancea and Covasna; then wonderful ceramic handicrafts are presented in Valcea."
In Romania, 25 per cent of the tourists are foreigners while the remaining are locals, as president, she mentioned that part of the organization's strategies for this year include "providing a thematic classification for accommodations. We want to make it easier for the tourists to decide where to stay according to their needs, like facilities or activities. In a quality point of view, we have ratings established. As an example, interested parties will be able to find information if a guesthouse has activities like fishing, hiking and forest exploration. "
The organization also aims to have its branches offer more diversity in its programs. Stoian with dedication held: "To further develop cultural programs, we coordinate with local organizers. Through sharing our experiences and knowledge, we help in providing success for these events. We also use the Internet to provide information on events, programs and places to go. Our web site provides Romanian, English, French and German languages, making it more encouraging to foreigners as well," she said.
The non-governmental association was founded in 1994 and now has 32 county branches with 3,500 members who are owners of tourist and agro-tourist guest houses - where visitors stay on a working farm, even helping with farm chores; from around 900 localities.
"ANTREC also publishes its monthly magazine 'Vacations in the Country Side,' with its main purpose being to promote rural tourism. The circulation of the magazine is between three and five thousand copies, according to the demands. The magazine is meant for tourists; guest houses, farmhouses, countryside B&B owners from our network. Likewise, those who want to start a company in rural tourism can find useful information in the pages of the magazine," she said.
ANTREC's Internet site mentions that the association is known nationally and internationally as a leader in the development of the Romanian rural tourism, in encouraging the ecological spirit and preserving Romanian traditional culture. It is a non-governmental apolitical organization, member of the European Federation for Rural Tourism (EUROGITES).

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