Author: Doru Frolu (Rowmania) Presentation for Topic 3: Practical Tools for conservation and local development 2nd European Ecotourism Conference 23-25 October 2013, Romania

1. DANUBE DELTA – THE ROWING PARADISE
Speaker: Teodor FROLU – VicePresident
“Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23” Association

16. MOBILITY

17. TERRITORY
• Area: 5.800 sq km
(2 times Luxembourg’s area)
• 28 localities and one town, Sulina
• Population: 12.638 (2012)
• Strictly protected areas: 20 sites
covering a total of 50 904 hectares
(8.7% of the Reserve’s surface)

18. BIODIVERSITY
 30 types of ecosystems
 FLORA – 1 839 species
 FAUNA - 3 590 species
• The fish fauna from the Danube Delta
Biosphere Reserve is remarkably rich,
with 135 species
The majority is fresh water fishes, but
there are also marine species that come
into the Danube Delta and on the Danube
course during the reproduction season.
30 species are subject to commercial
fishing
• Birds: 331 species (apart from the 520
species inventoried in Western Europe)

19. CURRENT TOURISM PLAN
half-aday
tour
3 hours
tour
Arrival:
Boat Transport
public
Average cost:
10 EUR / trip
private
Average cost:
50 EUR / trip
Accommodation
Average
number of
nights:
1.7 nights
(2010)
Departure:
Boat Transport
public
Average cost:
10 EUR / trip
private
Average cost:
50 EUR / trip

20. ECOTOURISM PLAN
day trips
by
rowing
boat
Arrival:
Boat Transport
Accommodation
Departure:
Boat Transport
3-5 nights
public
private
Nearer locations => lower costs
public
private
Nearer locations => lower costs

21. BENEFITS OF THE ECOTOURISM PLAN
• every night spent in another location. local accommodation and local food
• the transfer between locations implies lower costs
• during the transfer the tourists have the opportunity to visit 2-3 more tourist
attractions / landmarks
• covers a larger area, increasing consumption in the benefit of the inhabitants
• a learning experience about nature and local people.

22. RENT A BOAT SYSTEM –
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

23. ROWMANIA ECOTOURISM CENTER – CRIȘAN

24. ROWMANIA ECOTOURISM CENTER – CRIȘAN
 Rowmania Ecotourism Center - Crisan is a pilot project of social
entrepreneurship launched by the Association of Ecotourism in Romania
(AER) and the Association Ivan Patzaichin-Mila 23 (AIP), part of a new
ecotourism offer: rowing with Rowmania - slow tourism for the benefit of
nature and local people
 Rowmania Ecotourism Center – Crișan offers one to 4 day tours by canotca
(canotca is a traditional wooden boat, inspired by local lotca and made
locally), guided tours for more days, local accommodation and food.
 Rowmania Ecotourism Center is the place where visitors can learn about the
sound of nature, feel the local atmosphere and understand the relation
between people and nature.

25. ROWMANIA ECOTOURISM CENTER – CRIȘAN
The first thematic route (Rowmania Center Crisan - Lake Capcicova,
Zapadna Lake, Lake Iacob) with audio-guide in Romania was launched
on 15 October 2012
This route was developed to diversify the activities of Crisan and aims
to highlight the diversity of birds from the Danube Delta.