Moldovan regions to be promoted as tourist destinations

Chisinau, Nov 8 /MOLDPRES/- Regional tourism will get new prospects for development after the approval of amendments to the Law on organization and development of tourism activity in the Republic of Moldova. They provide for the establishment of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and the inclusion in the law of a public institution - National Tourism Office.

According to the new provisions, Destination Management Organizations are defined as territorial organizational entities formed by authorities or stakeholders. The organizations may also consist of professionals, aiming to promote regions as tourist destinations. The manner of establishment and activity of DMOs will be approved by the Government, in accordance with the practices of the World Tourism Organization.

The law also establishes the National Tourism Office as a public institution subordinated to the Ministry of Culture. Although this office was created in 2023, its activity was not regulated by law. 

The document also sees rules establishing the powers of the Ministry of Culture to draft and approve the regulation on the mechanism of non-reimbursable financing of non-commercial organizations' projects in the tourism, as well as the regulation on the organization and functioning of tourist information offices/centers.

The amendments to the current regulatory framework are intended to exclude outdated terms and define new concepts such as tourist destination, tourist guide, tourist information.

The need for the draft law stems from the European Moldova strategy. The authorities expect that the improvement of the legislative framework will increase investment and develop tourism businesses.

The draft law set up by the Ministry of Culture is to be voted by the Parliament in the second reading.