The Tourism Investment Masterplan, approved on Friday by Mihai Tudose cabinet, contains 29 projects of local importance and three of national interest and all of them will be made with money from the state budget and from local administrations’ budgets, not from EU funds.
Funding will begin in 2019, depending on the budget possibilities.
The government decision does not contain any cost estimate, mentioning only the proportions in which the state and local budgets will contribute to these projects.
The three investments of national importance are the only ones with the full financing from the state budget and will be implemented by the Ministry of Tourism, according to the government decision:
- Development of the ski infrastructure, Fagaras Mountains (200 days with snow per year – Sustainable Development in the Fagaras Massif)
- Balanced and integrated development of the tourist area of the Danube Delta and the Black Sea resorts, Sulina (Miniport/marina, Sulina town, Tulcea county)
- Development of the tourist and recreation infrastructure – tourist port, Constanta (Planning the Diamant Port – recreational port, Constanta municipality, Constanta county)
Neither the value of these projects is specified.
How other funds will be allocated:
- for investments made in the resorts of national interest certified according to the law, the contribution of the Ministry of Tourism is 90% and the contribution of the beneficiary administrative and territorial unit is 10%
- for investments made in resorts of local interest, certified according to the law, the contribution of the Ministry of Tourism is 85% and the contribution of the beneficiary territorial administrative unit is 15%
- for investments in the scope of this decision other than those referred to in a) and b) paragraphs, the contribution of the Ministry of Tourism is 70% and the contribution of the beneficiary administrative and territorial unit is 30%
Territorial administrations are advised that the failure to submit the technical and economic documentation by 31 December 2018 will result in the elimination of the project proposal from the Annex.
List of project proposals to be financed, with the indication that the government decision specifies the annual update of this Annex:
List of tourism investment projects with ongoing financing contracts
Local public authority Project
- Borsec Local Council, Harghita County Development of the recreational tourist infrastructure, Borsec resort
- Local Council Petroaani, Hunedoara county Skiing in Romania, Petrosani
- Campulung Moldovenesc Local Council, Suceava county Skiing in Romania, Campulung Moldovenesc resort
- Voineasa Local Council, Valcea County Development of the recreational infrastructure, Voineasa resort
List of tourism projects of local importance :
County Name of project proposal
- Alba County Sureanu Salvamont Base, Sebes Valley
Planning of the Ski Area, Sebes Valley
Development of tourist infrastructure in the high mountain area, Sebes mountains
Development of Ursoaia Tourist Area, Horea commune
Development of tourist infrastructure – planning the ski area, Zlatna town
- Arad County Reposition Moneasa resort in the international circuit
Setting up an „Adventure Park”, Moneasa commune
- Arges County Ski in Romania, Albestii de Muscel
- Bacau County Planning the spa infrastructure, Slanic Moldova
Organising new tourist attractions (Water park – Aqualand, adventure park, ice rink), Slanic Moldova town
Cable car construction, Slanic Moldova
Construction of a recreational complex, Slanic Moldova
Aqua Park – Parc Magura area, Tirgu Ocna town
Salt Lake Resort – Parc Magura, Tirgu Ocna town
Adventure Park Planning – Parc Magura, Tirgu Ocna town
Skating rink – Parc Magura area, Tirgu Ocna town
- Bihor County Ski slope, Budureasa commune
Development of winter tourism, Vartop slope, stage 2, Nucet town
Construction of a fun and adventure park, Sinmartin commune
Mountain rescue base, Vadu Crisului
- Bistrita Nasaud County Baile Figa touristic extension – spa medical center
Ski area Valea Salautei
Ski area Valea Birgaului, Bistrita Birgaului commune
Development of ski area Valea Vinului, Rodna commune
Adventure park, Singeorz Bai town
Holiday village, Singeorz Bai town
- Brasov County Summer sled in Poiana Brasov, Brasov
Enlargement of the ski area – Stage II, Poiana Brasov, Brasov
Modernization of Dragus ski slope, Dragus commune
Ski area, Lisa commune
Improvement of the ski area, Predeal town
Development of the ski area Olareasa, Predeal
Organizing the ski area Stage 2 – connection with Azuga, Predeal town
Construction of new ski slopes, Predeal town
Modernization of existing ski slopes, Predeal
Development of the cable transport infrastructure, Predeal town
Build winter and summer theme parks/sports bases, Predeal
Develop a recreation area in Timisul de Jos, Predeal
Clabucet slope Salvamont rescue point, Predeal town
Recreational park Valea Rasnoavei, Predeal town
Sports leisure infrastructure, Rasnov
Development of the ski area – modernization of the Olympic base, Rasnov
Ski area Valea Larga, Sacele
Building ski slopes with the appropriate facilities in Brebina, Zarnesti
- Buzau County Supporting the establishment of spa, wellness bases, etc. and reopening some old water basins with tradition in treatments for tourists, Sarata Monteoru resort, Merei commune
Building the Balneary Park, Sarata Monteoru resort, Merei commune
- Caras Severin County The development of Semenic tourist area
Organising and extending the ski area in Muntele Mic, Turnu Ruieni commune
Construction of a mountain rescue hut, Muntele Mic
Organizing the tourist and ski area Nedeia, Zavoi commune
- Calarasi County Tourist development of Bratul Borcea-Calarasi
Development of the recreation tourism infrastructure, recreation port, Oltenita municipality
- County Cluj Ski in Romania, Baisoara resort, Baisoara commune
Organizing the Chinteni Lake, Chinteni commune
Aquapark, Chinteni commune
- Constanta County Organizing prevention centres, primary medical treatment and the lifeguard points from the coastal area of Constanta County
Tourist mini-ports, Ostrov, Capidava, Rasova, Ghindaresti
Expanding the dolphinarium in Constanta
Organizing Marina Nord, Constanta
Organizing the natural tourist public utility area – Belona Lake, Eforie town
Building a marina, Eforie town
Increasing tourist attractiveness of the Eforie Nord and Eforie Sud resorts, development of the infrastructure for Spa tourism, Eforie town
Multifunctional balneal and physiotherapy centre, Techirghiol
- Covasna County Ski in Romania, Comandau commune
Multifunctional wellbeing centre, Covasna
Ski in Romania, Covasna
- Dambovita County Construction of ski slopes in the Padina – Pestera area, Moroeni commune
Public parking lot and related facilities in the Telecabina Padina area – the cave, Moroeni commune
Recovery of the recreation area and building base treatment and the recovery of sulphurous water (existing in the area) on Moteianca hill and in the „La sursa” area, Pucioasa town
Organizing the recreation area on the reservoir lake, Pucioasa
- Gorj County Rehabilitation, development and organisation of Ranca mountain rescue base
Reshaping, modernization and extension of Papusa ski area, Parang Mountains, Baia de Fier commune
- Harghita County Extending the Balneary Complex, Baile Tusnad town
Restauration of Nadas traditional bathing resort, Tusnad commune
The organization of a winter sports complex in the immediate vicinity of the ski slope, Borsec
Building an adventure park, Borsec
Refurbishment and modernization of the access points to the mineral water springs, Borsec
Ski slopes and cable cars at Harghita-Madaras, Capalnita commune
Planning the Suhard ski area, Gheorgheni municipality
Building a tele-gondola system in Lacu Rosu resort on Suhardul Mare peak, Gheorgheni municipality
Establishing a spa centre in Lacu Rosu resort, Gheorgheni municipality
Developing the recreation area at Baile Homorod, Vlahita town
Development of the ski area, Izvoru Muresului, Voslabeni commune
- Hunedoara County Organizing the recreation area, Geoagiu town
Ski in Romania, Straja resort, Lupeni municipality
Development and extension of the Sureanu ski area, Petrila
- Ialomita County Restauration of Zone 4 spa complex, Plaja Zorilor, Amara town
Rehabilitation of the balneological park, stage II, Amara town
Developing the tourism infrastructure by arranging the Perla beach, Amara
- Maramures County Tele-gondola and Olympic ski slope, Borsa town
Development of Prislop Ski Area – Stiol- Runcul Stiol – Buza Dealului, Borsa town
Organising a complex of trampolines for practicing ski jumping, Borsa
Construction of a cabin-type cableway installation at the base of Pietrosul Rodnei mountain – Iezer Lake – mountain peak, Borsa town
Construction of a biathlon and cross-country ski arena, Borsa
Organizing the Gutaiul Doamnei ski area, Cavnic town
- Mures County Organizing the recreation base (aquapark), Sovata town
Organizing a ski slope, Sovata town
- Neamt County Organizing some ski slopes in Bicaz Chei, Bicazu Ardelean, Borca, Tarcau areas
Ski in Romania, Durau resort
Construction of the Ion Creanga Theme Park, Tirgu-Neamt
- Prahova County Organising the Cazacu ski slope – the upper area, including the connection with the upper tele-gondola station, Azuga
Developing the ski area of Azuga resort by building the Cazacu tele-gondola, Azuga town city
Improving the operation conditions for the artificial snow installation, stage I, Azuga
Organising the „Urechea” III ski slope, cable transport installation and artificial snow installation, Azuga
Organising the Sorica slope ski route (connection) – tele-gondola lower station, Azuga town
Construction of a new Busteni-Platou Busteni cable transport installation, Busteni town
Building ski tracks – cross-country ski slopes in the Baiului Mountains, Busteni
Organising the ski area – Babesu 1 and 2 ski slopes, Cheia resort, Maneciu commune
Development of the Cota 1400 – 2000 ski area, Sinaia
Development of Sinaia- Vanturis area – Vf. cu Dor -Piatra Arsa – Cota 2000 ski area, Sinaia
Rehabilitation of the bob slope, Sinaia
Recreational complex, Sinaia
Adventure park, Sinaia
Organising a camping site, Sinaia
- Satu Mare County Development of Luna Ses – Negresti Oas tourist area
Establishment of a rescue station in the „Luna Ses” tourist area, Negresti-Oas town
Treatment base, Tasnad town
- Sibiu County Development of tourism for practicing ski and other winter sports, Avrig town
Establishment of wellness base, Bazna commune
Establishment of an aqua park, Bazna commune
Development of the tourist infrastructure in Ocna Sibiului wellbeing resort, Ocna Sibiului
Salvamont rescue base in the Paltinis resort, Sibiu city
- Suceava County Aqua Park, Gura Humorului town
Construction of an artificial ski slope – summer skiing, toboggan run and tubing, Gura Humorului town
Organising an adventure park, Sucevita commune
Organising a ski slope, Sucevita commune
Construction of an ice rink, Sucevita commune
Ski area in Calimani Mountains, Saru Dornei commune
Development of the ski area, Vatra Dornei municipality
Increasing the attractiveness of Vatra Dornei resort by optimizing and increasing the network for producing the artificial snow, Vatra Dornei
Increasing the quality of tourist services in Bazinul Dornelor by organising the Salvamont stations, Vatra Dornei town
- Timis County Aquapark with mineral waters, Buzias town
- Tulcea County Miniport/marina, Murighiol commune
Tourist miniport/marina, Sarichioi commune
- Valcea County Development of the spa and recreational infrastructure, treatment base, multifunctional centre, cure routes, Baile Olanesti
Building the promenade route on the Olt river dam, Calimanesti town
Recreational park in the spring catchment area, Central Hotel, Calimanesti
Organizing a camping area, Calimanesti town
Organizing a camping area, Horezu town
Development of the Adventure Park leisure infrastructure in the Voineasa resort, Voineasa commune
- Vrancea County Development of the tourist infrastructure in the Lepsa-Soveja area
Examples of eligible investments:
- Spatial planning/rehabilitation/building of spa park
- Rehabilitation of a kineto-therapy base, construction/rehabilitation of the installation for maximizing the choke-damp facilities
- Aquapark/water park construction/rehabilitation
- (Ski slope, cross-country ski trail, cable car, night lighting installation, artificial snow installation, ratrac, administrative building, parking lot and utilities related to the project, slope/sled route, infrastructure for other recreational activities, transport belt, trampoline, spatial planning/rehabilitation of a skating rink)
- Winter theme parks
- Creation/organising a recreation centre/area, organising lakes for touristic and recreation purposes
- Skating rink building/rehabilitation/rehabilitation
- Construction arrangement/rehabilitation of a picnic/camping area, holiday village
- Construction/arrangement/rehabilitation of a first aid station/ lifeguard tower, construction/organisation /rehabilitation of a recreation port / tourist marina / tourist miniport, construction / reconstruction / arrangement / rehabilitation of a mooring point / pontoon, camping and fishing area in the Danube Delta
- Recreation projects with a nautical specific, respectively: construction / arrangement / refurbishment of a marina / marina / tourist miniport
- Creation/arrangement of a recreation centre/area, organising lakes/beaches for tourist purposes, etc.
Masterplan developed in a record time – one month, together with the study on which it was based
The explanatory memorandum shows how the action directions for developing investments in tourism have been identified and then the Masterplan has been drafted in record time:
„In July 2017, at the request of the Ministry of Tourism, the National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism developed a study on the development of public investments in the Romanian specific infrastructure for the period 2007-2016 and the main directions for their development, based on which the directions of action for developing the investments in tourism have been defined. This document recommended a set of specific objectives, the achievement of which will have the effect of increasing the level of tourist services in qualitative and quantitative terms.”
Major actions covered by Masterplan for Investments
- The development of health tourism
- The development of the ski area
- The development of the leisure tourism infrastructure
- The balanced and integrated development of the Danube Delta tourist area and the Black Sea resorts
- The development of the tourist infrastructure along the Danube
- The development of the tourist infrastructure in the high mountain area
Masterplan objectives – very vague, unquantifiable
The explanatory memorandum contains a list of truisms, but no data about possible targets set:
- Although at present the share of tourism in the gross domestic product is low both at the national and regional level (about 2-3%), it can be easily doubled in the medium term, even without expanding the tourist accommodation structure
- The economic benefits of the tourism industry are multiple
- The tourism industry generates a significant number of jobs and investments in this field have a relatively short amortisation period
- Transportation and real estate are two other important sectors that can benefit from the development of tourism
The objectives listed in the government decision:
- development of local communities in areas with high tourism potential, by increasing the public investment in the tourism infrastructure
- competitive development of tourism by identifying, evaluating, prioritizing by forms of tourism and an efficient targeting of public investment
- developing a network of internationally competitive tourist destinations
- sustainable exploitation of the local specificity and national identity through tourism
- identifying an integrated approach to the tourism policy at the regional level through the sustainable development of the tourism