Romania’s greenest destination is in Neamț

The Land of the Bison Ecotourism Gala

The development of a micro-region relies on the involvement of the local community and local authorities. With this in mind, the representatives of the Land of the Bison Association began organizing the Ecotourism Gala after 10 years of activity.

To better understand public perception, the representatives of the Land of the Bison Ecotourism Destination invited nominations from both locals and tourists. As expected, many nominees were long-time partners, but they were pleasantly surprised to receive nominations for new people and organizations they had not previously known. Even in small communities, some things are done purely out of passion, without seeking visibility – and in this context, such recognition becomes even more meaningful.

 How did the gala unfold?

Joining the hosts was Andrei Blumer, president of the Romanian Ecotourism Association (AER), who offered valuable insights into the position of the Land of the Bison Ecotourism Destination within Romania’s national ecotourism landscape. His remarks confirmed that the achievements of the past decade had not remained merely local but had made a significant impact nationally.

The event also welcomed talented artists from Ale Music School, who helped create a festive atmosphere, alongside all others present: the Ion Creangă Cultural Center in Târgu-Neamț, Taverna de Neamț, Armonia by Aristocratis, OMD Vânători Neamț, and the Tourist Information and Promotion Center in Târgu-Neamț.

Ten years with outstanding people

United communities can create story-like realities and transform destinations into dreamlike places. This is what happened with the Land of the Bison, which – with every initiative, action, and event – has gradually become stronger, more emblematic, and a model of excellence in ecotourism, the only one in the country to reach the highest level: the Global Top 100 Sustainable Destinations.

Here are the nominations and awards of the Land of the Bison Ecotourism Gala:

• City halls of the 5 administrative units in the ecotourism destination: Târgu Neamț, and the communes Agapia, Bălțătești, Crăcăoani, Vânători Neamț, without whom the ecotourism destination would not exist.
• Sustainable development: The Land of the Bison LAG, Vânători Neamț Natural Park Administration, Târgu Neamț City Hall, Vânători Neamț City Hall, Land of the Bison
• Social involvement, contribution to community well-being: OMD Vânători Neamț, Ion Creangă Cultural Foundation, Viorela Chiper, Alina Nistor -”Strune de lumina”, Father Vasile Găneanu, Ion Creangă Technical College, Târgu-Neamț, Ion Creangă Cultural Center, Father Mihail Daniliuc, Puzzle OptimEast Association, Sofiaman, Neamț Civic Initiative and Local Development Association, OFA UGIR Neamț, ”Oborul copiilor”
• Local culinary experience: Local Gastronomic Point La Nuța și Ionică, La Nea Ion Măcelaru, Casa Afetelor Pipirig, Belvedere Guesthouse, Casa Arcașului, Eden Guesthouse, Taverna de Neamț, Burger’s House, Daniel Gavriloaia, Bucătăria Zimbrului, La Cuptor, Hotel Victoria, Restaurant Unique
• Authentic hosts: Casa dintre Pini, La Moșie, Belvedere Guesthouse, Armonia by Aristocratis, Eden Guesthouse, Hanul Urșilor, Cassandra Guesthouse, Pădurea de Smarald Guesthouse, Agapia Guesthouse, Daria Guesthouse, Casa dintre Brazi
• Ecotourism experience: Dor de rădăcini, Explore Romania, Agapia Agăpescu, Land of the Bison Association, Ursu Trout Farm, Dragoș Vodă Bison and Carpathian Fauna Reserve
• Local identity, promotion: Vasile Diaconu, Plugul de la Humulești, Visit Neamț – Neamț County Council, North-East Regional Development Agency, Costi Lungu, Hanul Urșilor, Străjerii Cetății Neamțu, Văratec Monastery, the Day Center for seniors in Vânători-Neamț, Living Museum – Agapia, Dor Vânătorean Folklore Ensemble, Ozana Ensemble, Mihaela Catană, Ion Creangă Cultural Center, Archimandrite Benedict Sauciuc, Tourist Information and Promotion Center Târgu-Neamț
• Local architecture: Casa Bunicilor, Ograda Humulești, Ion Creangă Memorial House, Casa cu Povești – Humulești, Agapia Monastery, Secu Monastery, Houses in Crăcăoani, Houses in Bălțătești
• Ambassador of the Land of the Bison: Ionela Lungu, Ciprian Bârsan, Vasile Diaconu, Geanina Fedeleș, Cristi Irimia, Sebastian Cătănoiu, Dan Ciuca, Gheorghe Popa, Marta Gămănuț, Emanuel Balan, Andreea Murariu–Țuțuianu, Ozana Ensemble, Gabriel Gălățeanu, Diana Mercaș
• Products from the Land of the Bison: Bicu’s Sea Buckthorn, Apetrei Apiary, Filioara Berries, Bunătăți Moldovenești, Lacta Bio, Chiseaua cu Dulceață, Zimbru Ghindăoani Agricultural Cooperative, Lavandia Garden, Ingărești Apiary, Țâmurea Farm, Agapia Honey, Ana Neculai
• Craftsmen of the Land of the Bison: Maria Vasiliu, Catinca Buhnă, Nemțeanca Craftsmen Association, Emilia Rusu, The Craftsman Grandfather, Traditional Art – Mihalache Iulian, Elisabeta Asavinei, Ana Țurcanu, Elena Bârliba, Maria Glodeanu, Elena Bălțătescu, Maria Ungureanu, Dorica Vasiliu, Maricica Todici, Vasile Boancă.

Beyond the iconic and already renowned Land of the Bison, other markers of international recognition – confirming our county’s commitment to responsible and environmentally friendly tourism – are the two UNESCO World Heritage nominations: Neamț Monastery, founded in 1375 and included on the tentative list since 2014, and the Vânători-Neamț monastic cultural landscape (The Land of Monasteries), which could become the eighth mixed natural and cultural site in Europe recognized by UNESCO, similar to Mount Athos or Meteora.

And the file for a third nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List is already in progress for the Cucuteni–Trypillia Culture, through the joint effort of three countries: Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.