Specialized European forum awards Moldova Wine Road

Chisinau, 2 October /MOLDPRES/ - The Moldova Wine Road, the first touristic itinerary from Moldova, certified by the Council of Europe as cultural and European route, has been nominated finalist and awarded prize in the category, Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourist in 2020, within a contest organized by the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) .       

Forty three files were submitted in the competition for the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourist 2020, of whom 15 candidates at the category, Vine and Wine Tourism, within the cultural and European route, Iter Vitis – Les Chemins de la Vigne, certified by the Council of Europe.  

„The Moldova Wine Road was selected by organizers among three finalists who were awarded in the oeno-tourism sector, for the promotion of a cultural and sustainable tourism. Among the awarding criteria, competent people appreciated the complexity of the project proposed, its capacity to strengthen the cooperation between multiple representatives of the sector, as well as the wine producers, tourism agencies, specialized associations; role of promoter of innovating visions in the promotion of touristic experiences and the responsible attitude towards cultural, natural and social heritage of Moldova,’’ reads a press release of the National Association of the Inbound and Domestic Tourism of Moldova (ANTRIM), which developed and accredited the Moldova Wine Road as cultural and European route of the Council of Europe.    

„The tourism of vine and wine experience is the basic pillar of Moldova’s tourism supply, as the wine is a heritage cultivated through living legend and traditions. This industry has been substantially boosted on the previous period, which is proved by a 70-per cent increase in the number of travellers interested in the immersion in the vine and wine world and the number of wineries with tourist capacity has tripled in the last five years. This distinction provided to the route Moldova Wine Road is a European recognition of the authenticity of the oeno-touristic supply, which is actually an honour to us,’’ the ANTRIM head, Cristina Frolov, said.    

Starting from 28 February 2020, the Moldova Wine Road was integrated into the Iter Vitis – Les Chemins de la Vigne and promotes the valuable culture and heritage of Moldova in the wine tourism sector as a cultural and rural tourism. The Moldova Wine Road route comprises seven unique wine and gastronomic itineraries, 30 visits to wineries, wine cellars, tens of cultural and tourist events and numerous cultural, historical and gastronomic experiences.    

„On the eve of the National Wine Day in Moldova, we congratulate tens of wine cellars, agro-pensions, tourism operators and the associations from the sector of vine-growing and wine-making industry and tourism for an outstanding achievement of consolidation, partnership and cooperating development proved by the Moldova Wine Road, awarded in Europe. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided technical assistance and grants to 38 wine cellars which developed tourism facilities, thus fostering the economic circulation in regions, from which other tens of small businesses, agro-pensions, rural houses, peasants’ households, etc. benefited. The destinations included in the Moldova Wine Road meet the standards of the cultural and European routes and impress through their authenticity and promotion of a sustainable tourism,’’ the head of the USAID mission in Moldova, Scott Hocklander, said.     

The official awarding ceremony, organized by the European Cultural Tourism Network and Iter Vitis federation, will take place on 22 October, in online format, and the finalists are encouraged to present new visions of rehabilitating the tourism activity focused on a sustainable cultural tourism, outlined on the components of culture and history of the wine tourism.  

Iter Vitis – Les chemins de la vigne represents a cultural and European oeno-tourist route, which integrates the vine and wine landscapes and heritage from 18 vine and wine states, and has the goal to recognize, preserve and promote this heritage. The Moldova Wine Road route is the first route of Moldova registered within Iter Vitis – Les chemins de la vigne and this initiative is promoted by ANTRIM, with the support of the Moldova Competitiveness Project, financed by USAID, governments of Sweden and the United Kingdom.   

Photo source: ANTRIM