STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT / ACTION PLAN Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

Transcription

1 TRANSDANUBE Sustainable Transport and Tourism along the Danube STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT / ACTION PLAN Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Action South-East Regional Development Agency, Romania PP9 The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 2 INTRODUCTION 4 3 REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN TOURISM OBJECTIVES REGIONAL FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS GAP ANALYSIS 16 4 REGIONAL ACTION PLAN CATALOGUE OF DEVELOPMENT MEASURES EVALUATION OF DEVELOPMENT MEASURES CONSULTATION PROCESS PRIORITISATION OF REALISABLE DEVELOPMENT MEASURES 24 5 ANNEX LIST OF REFERENCES ADDITIONAL MATERIALS 57 Page 2 / 57

3 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is located at the junction of the Danube River with the Black Sea. The Biosphere Reserve covers an area of approximately 580,000 hectare. It is the only Delta in the world declared protected area as a whole. The Biosphere Reserve comprises the Danube Delta, The Danube Floodplain upstream of Tulcea to Cotul Pisicii, the Razim-Sinoe Lakes Complex and the Black Sea coastal waters up to 20 meters isobaths. In the Reserve there are 24 trails (15 waterways and 9 on land). The accommodation facilities 1 totalize 4,500 beds in hotels, floating hotels, urban and rural hostels, rest-stops and camping. According to Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority, the authorized locations 2 on Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve territory where accommodation is possible in cottages, villas and bungalows or in camping sites are as follows: Camping Delfinul in Sf. Gheorge, Camping CAMPOEUROCLUB PARTIZANI in Partizani village, Sulina youth hostel in Sulina. The authorized locations offering accommodation only in villas, cottages, cabins are in Gura Portitei Vacation Village La Eden - and in Chilia Tatanir Tourism Complex. Tourists access in DDBR 3 is allowed only on the basis of an access permit and it is conditioned by the payment of an access fee, which is 5,00 lei per person per day, 15,00 le per person per week (one entry), 30,00 lei per person per year (multiple entries). The travel into the reserve is possible by boats (mostly) and by cars (limited). Transporting 4 to the reservation is made by water. Passenger ships are outdated and intensive fuel consumers have low speed and heavy handling. In recent years, two catamarans were purchased with a capacity of 200 seats, which operate with a 2-day rhythm. A strong point for tourism would be the existence of an international airport ( Danube Delta Tulcea Airport). This action plan provides a framework for the development and management of tourism and transport in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. This action plan has been designed so that it makes possible the of the principle of sustainability which emphasis the need to preserve the area s environment and particularities; improving the living standards of the local communities by creating premises for growing the tourism sector, while improving the infrastructure. The following strategic aims underpin the strategy: The transport system (means of transport) must provide a customer oriented, high quality offer of environmentally friendly means of transport (especially trains, buses and boats) All desired information about travelling itineraries and pick-up services etc. should be provided immediately and without delay. The tourism industry should create new, attractive offers that take environmental friendly mobility into consideration. The customer s demand has to be the very basis of s and activities of all sectors. The principle of cooperation should underpin the sustainable development of the area. 1 Local Environmental Action Plan, Tulcea County, revised Conditions of access into Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, elaborated by Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve AUthority 3 Conditions of access into Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, elaborated by Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve AUthority 4 Local Environmental Action Plan, Tulcea County, revised 2011 Page 3 / 57

4 2 INTRODUCTION Travel and transportation can be discussed without taking tourism into consideration, but tourism cannot progress without travel. Transport sector is a fundamental part of the tourism industry, largely due to the improvement of transportation that tourism has expanded. The impacts on the ecology, degradation of destination sites, tourist experience and economy has called for a better management of resources. In biodiversity-rich areas, breaching into sensitive, fragile natural areas through improved infrastructure and service may prove detrimental to the ecology of the place. In the light of such issues, it is important to reconsider the role of the transport sector in areas such as these. Though careful planning of the components is done to ensure sustainability, transportation is seldom considered as a part of the process and, because to this, a number of biodiversity-rich areas have been destroyed due to the easy and unplanned access. Tourism affects all aspects of the natural environment. Impact degrees vary according to the number of tourists, the adaptability and the resilience of the ecosystem to the pressure wrought by the changing nature and trends in tourism. The transportation modes and their management are important ingredients of the tourism system. The interconnection made by air, sea and land modes, as well as the availability of the support services such as fuel stations, auto repair, motels and rest facilities for land travel, is essential for the entire operation chain. Technological advances in transport sector have widely eased travel. It is attributed to the accessibility of modern transport that has spurred the widespread growth of nature tourism. The increasing number of visitors to what were once remote locations has resulted in the degradation the resources, prompting the need to reevaluate the role of transportation. Impacts of tourism development include soil erosion, clearance of vegetation -to make room for the roads and tourism facilities-, trail bikes, horses and even the intrusion of pedestrians. The careful planning of these areas, the protective management and the planning of roads, hiking and riding trails, all should be integrated into the natural environment. The responsible local authorities have to focus on sustainable mobility as an important niche sector of tourism in the region, considering the fact the target area has the special feature regarding the nature and its preservation. The authorities have to have a strategy, a common goal, a structured approach, a consolidated vision to follow. The strategy defines the problem as a whole and deals with it using short, medium and long term s, selected to be feasible, optimal and in the line with the project common vision. The strategy will help the decision makers to select those s which will contribute most to the achievement of the defined s for the development of sustainable mobility in tourism. Page 4 / 57

5 3 REGIONAL STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY IN TOURISM AND ACCESS FACILITATION TOWARDS AND INSIDE THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE 3.1 Objectives 1. Sustainable Mobility Offers Objective 1.1. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 1.2. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 1.3. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport A common framework in the entire region, correlated with master/action/management plans and strategies Number of Plans for Sustainable Transport elaborated 1 Number of studies conducted for identifying the needs and expectations of tourists from multimodal travel, and also the potential of multimodal travel 1 Number of management plans for multimodal transport created 1 Number of feasibility studies (deck boats/cruisers connection from Braila through Galatzi to Tulcea and a fast ship connection to the Danube Delta, bike routes inside the Danube Delta, Business plan for multimodal node at Tulcea) - 3 Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Transportation should be accessible while being also efficient in terms of consumption, safety and travel time Share of new tourists at least 20% Number of modernized railway - 1, route Tulcea-Medgidia Percent of modern ships purchased for passenger transport 10% Percent of low fuel consumer ships at least 10% Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by removing at least 50% of existent shipwrecks Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by dredging 3 Danube Delta channels Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by consolidating 20% of the river banks Percent of modernized jetties at least 20% Number of mooring pontoons for high capacity vessels in the ports created at least 1 Create transport accessibility within and towards the protected area Tourist should have at least one route/opportunity to reach Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve by bus/boat/bike Multimodal travel should be possible to reach Tulcea county Share of locals and tourists satisfied with the offers of sustainable transport at least 50% Share of tourist satisfied with the created connections at least 50% Page 5 / 57

6 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Tourists should have the opportunity to visit the DDBR by bicycle Share of modernized bike lanes in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 50% Share of interconnected bike lanes at least 20% Share of satisfied tourists with sustainable mobility offers 20% Number of bridges connecting DDBR and Tulcea and Braila 1 Number of new river transport connections between Tulcea and Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe and Chilia Veche 3 Number of bus connections 1 Share of modernized bike lanes in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 50% Share of interconnected runways at least 20% 2. Sustainable tourist packages Objective 2.1 Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 2.2 Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 2.3 Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Development of integrated tourism packages Tourists should have at least 3 options when choosing a package (multimodal transport and sustainable tourism) in Danube Delta Number of meetings between representatives of travel agencies from countries with access to the Danube River at least 1/year Number of tourist packages linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the Ukrainian Danube lakes at least 1 Number of integrated packages linking European ports on the Danube and the Delta at least 1 Number of integrated packages linking Danube Delta and Macin Mountains created and promoted at least 1 Improve the quality of tourism services The tourists should have more options in choosing travel destination Tourists should receive certified quality tourist services Number of trainings 1/year Number of workshops and consultations at least 2/year Number of certified tourist agencies 2 Number of tourist catalogues translated in English/German/French at least 2 Improve the Danube Delta landscape The tourists should have access to new and safer pavilions The abandoned buildings should be removed for improving the natural landscape and for increasing tourists safety Share of removed building abandoned in Caraorman 100% Share of removed DDBRA pavilions 100% Share of new pavilions 100% Page 6 / 57

7 3. Information & Marketing Objective 3.1 Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 3.2. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 3.3. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 3.4. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Inform, influence and educate citizens/tourists, as well as form attitudes about transportation alternatives Tourists should be informed at least with online means on sustainable transport offers Number of awareness and promotion campaigns of public transport and other sustainable modes of transport- at least 1 per year Development of niche tourism: ecotourism, cyclo-tourism, off-road, cruise tourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, agro-tourism, the natural environment, tourism related to fishing activities etc. At least one Information Centre should disseminate the information about the types of tourism that can be practiced in DDBR, with emphasis on ecotourism Share of new tourists, national and foreign at least 20% -Awareness campaigns on niche tourism and ecotourism in particular - 1 Improving DDBR s image DDBR should have an eco-friendly brand Number of studies necessary for creating the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve brand at least 1 Number of contracts with advertisers 1 Name, logo, core values created and promoted Number of brands registered at the National Office for Registration of Trademarks 1 Number of TV spots created and disseminated 1 Number of radio spots created and disseminated 1 Number of banners for the internet pages created and disseminated 1 Developing a user-friendly information system to promote traditional and alternative tourism programs (bicycles, sea, hiking, tent etc.) Tourists should benefit of an official internet page for DDBR contains updated and complete information Page 7 / 57

8 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 3.5. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 3.6. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Number of improved websites 1 Number of marketing strategies created 1 Number of digital maps of available tours - 1 Developing and promoting customized consulting services through information centres Tourists should benefit of good quality consulting through information centres Share of tourists satisfied with tourist information infrastructure at least 40% Number of trainings at least 2/year Share of certified trained staff at least 70% Raising awareness about the benefits of sustainable transport and tourism among tourists Tourist offers should include sustainable products available in the region Number of informed tourism agencies which included information on the sustainable transport in their tourism offers and package at least 2 Number of campaigns/conferences/workshops conducted for promoting the benefits of sustainable transport 1/year Number of regional databases on sustainable tourism and transport 1 4. Financial options, organizational and legal framework Objective 4.1. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 4.2. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Increasing cooperation between key players in tourism and transport, including local/regional authorities, travel/transport/environment NGOs, through consultations and dialogue on mobility, accessibility, transport and sustainable tourism Tourists offers should be developed in correlation with sustainable transport offers Policy initiatives (city council and county council decisions) of public authorities should be consulted with all key stakeholders Number of comprehensive public consultations 2/year - Number of strategic partnerships created at least 1 project Number of projects in partnerships between at least two of the stakeholders mentioned at least 1 project Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on the environment Authorities should have administrative capacity to analyse the environmental impact at policy and project levels Page 8 / 57

9 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Objective 4.3. Minimum standards to be achieved in 2020 Definition of indicators to monitor the progress in achieving the defined s (including the ment instruments) Interregional cooperation in place for developing sustainable tourism and transport All urban spatial plans approved by the environment authorities and the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration. Number of innovative projects promoted - 2 Number of trainings at least 1/year Number of exchange visits at least 1/year Share of urban plans and tourism development plans (master plans, strategies) approved by the DDBRA - 100% Guide for measuring the impact of tourism on the Delta biosphere - 1 Number of studies on the accommodation capacity of the DDBR 1 Promoting sustainable mobility financing opportunities through territorial cooperation programs in border area Stakeholders should be informed on sustainable mobility financing opportunities on at least one mean of information (website, information centres, national, regional or local campaign) At least on strategic partnerships should be established for developing the border area Number of new km created at least 20 km No of project partnerships implemented by the Inter-community Development Associations 1 Number of projects submitted and implemented 1 Number of awareness campaigns at least 1 at regional level and at least 1 at local level Page 9 / 57

10 3.2 Regional Framework conditions The South-East Region covers 35,762 sq km or 15 % of the total national surface and ranks the region on the second place among the eight regions of Romania. The South-East Region includes 6 counties: Braila, Buzau, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea and Vrancea. Its neighbouring areas are: The North-East Region to the north, the Centre Region and South-Muntenia Region to the west, Bulgaria to the south, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and the Black Sea to the east. The main international gateway to the region is Bucharest with a broad choice of international connections by air (two international airports), train (daily international connections to Italy, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey) and bus (international services to other European countries). An important regional transportation and tourist node of type B is Tulcea city as the main entry to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Galati, Braila and Constanta represent an important regional transportation and tourism node (type C) outside the focus area. The focus area targets on the following protected areas: Danube Delta, the most important natural protected area which was declared Biosphere Reserve ; Braila Small Island Natural Park, a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site) and Macin Mountains Natural Park international recognized as a component of NATURA 2000 Habitats and Birds Directive. Transport system Existing railway and road network in the Region: Page 10 / 57

11 Airports: Ports: Black Sea: Constanta, Mangalia, Sulina, Navodari Danube Harbours: Galati, Braila, Tulcea, Giurgiu, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Oltenita Danube-Black See Channel Harbours: Cernavoda, Poarta Alba, Constanta Sud, Agigea, Medgidia. EuroVelo 6 or EV6, also known as "Euro-Velo-Route Rivers" or "European Cycle Route of Rivers", is a type EuroVelo cycle route, with a length of 3,653 km, that connects Nantes to Bucharest, and, by extension, Saint- Nazaire to Constanta. The route follows the course of the three major European rivers: Loire, Rhine and Danube. Itinerary: France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania-Bulgaria (Drobeta Turnu- Severin, Vidin, Lom, Belene, Bucharest, Cernavoda, Braila, Tulcea, Sulina, Babadag, Constanta). Page 11 / 57

12 Tourism system In 2011, the South-East Region registered a total number of 1,134,800 tourists, representing 16.14% of the total number of arrivals in Romania. The number of tourists in 2011 was increased with 8.7% as compared with In 2011, the Region was the first in the country in terms of accommodation capacity, on the 3rd place as regards the number of arrivals and the first place in terms of overnight stays. The Region concentrates approximately 21% of the country accommodation capacity, most of them on the Black Sea seaside. In terms of used capacity, the Region ranks second in Romania. Types of tourism in the hotspots Name of the Park/Reserve Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve X X X X X X X X X Macin Mountains Natural Park X X X X X X P Braila Small Island X X p p X p X Existent and potential tourism attractions in the natural parks and reservations X=existent; P=potential 1=cyclotourism; 2=tourism trails; 3=tourism for angling; 4=water sports (canoe, kayak, rafting); 5=scientific; 6=cultural attractions; 7=animal observation; 8=equestrian Tourism; 9=agro-tourism Information system Information Centres Inside the protected areas from the target area, there are visitor centres and information (except in Braila Small Island where the Information and Visitor Centre is no longer functional), with an important role in promoting the information activity, education and awareness concerning the conservation s of the natural species/habitats. There are also visitor and information centres located in the nearest urban centres. One National Tourism and Information Centre is located in Tulcea city. Other promotion and information tools Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve has implemented a set of signs and indicators that significantly improved the public perception on Danube Delta Reserve location and the opportunities for sight-seeing. Panels with information on the area, habitats, protected species and preservation s were placed on the most visited routes inside Braila Small Island protected area. There were also placed in Braila, the nearby urban centre. A wide range of brochures and leaflets for the tourism promotion in the Danube Delta is offered to the tourists. The content of these brochures has been improved lately through collaboration with other institutions. An Audio-visual guide is available for the tourists in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. It is an interpretative tool which offers a precious insight into the natural and cultural values of the area: sounds of the birds living in the Danube Delta. CDs, flyers, posters, brochures are distributed for the promotion of Braila Small Island. There are many websites with information concerning the tourism promotion in the natural protected areas. Some examples are presented below. The protected areas web pages: the site of Braila Small Island (RO and English) the site of Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (RO and English) the site of Macin Mountains Natural Park (RO and English) The websites of the urban centres situated near the protected areas: the site of Tulcea County Council (RO and English) the site of Tulcea Municipality (RO) the site of Braila Municipality (RO) the site of Braila County Councils (RO) Page 12 / 57

13 Other web pages: the site of the Romania Eco-tourism Association the site of the Eco-tourism Centre from Crisani/Danube Delta (RO and English) (RO and English) Financing options, organizational and legal framework Organisational framework National public authorities and agencies experienced in the field of sustainable mobility and tourism are: The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and Environmental Fund Administration; The Ministry of SMEs, Business Environment and Tourism and its National Tourism Authority; The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Administration (MDRAP); The Ministry of Transport (MT). For the development and of the public policies on various branches of activity at regional level, functions 8 Regional Development Agencies, public, non-governmental and non-profit institutions. The county public authorities are represented by: County Councils; Prefectures; The Agency of Local Environment Protection; National and Natural Parks Administrations. National stakeholders and other organizations: Metropolitan Club, Association for Urban Transition/Asociatia pentru Tranzitia Urbana, Organization for Promoting Alternative Transport in Romania/Organizatia pentru Promovarea Transportului Alternativ in Romania (OPTAR), Romania Railway Industry Association/Asociatia Industriei Feroviare din Romania, Railway Club/Club Feroviar, Romanian Cyclists' Federation/Federatia Biciclistilor din Romania, Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) Romania, Association of Ecotourism in Romania (AER), Association "Bate Saua sa Priceapa Iapa". At local level, several associations are involved in promoting sustainable tourism and sustainable mobility, for e.g.: Ivan Patzaichin Mila 23 Association /Asociatia Ivan Patzaichin Mila 23; Litoral Danube Delta Association for Tourism Promotion and Development /Asociatia pentru Promovarea Turismului Litoral-Delta Dunarii, Danube-Delta Tourism Entrepreneurship Association /Asociatia Patronatului in Turismul din Delta Dunarii, Save Danube and Delta Association /Asociatia Salvati Dunarea si Delta. Still, the initiatives are rather spread out, concentrating mainly on promoting particular types of soft transportation. Other stakeholders: the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture from Braila, Galati, Tulcea, other tourism associations and tourism NGOs e.g.: The National Association for Rural, Ecological and Cultural Tourism with representatives in Braila and Tulcea, the National Association of the Travel Agencies with members and representatives in all the counties, Romanian Tourism Employers Federation with representatives in all the counties. Legal framework in the field of public transportation and tourism The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the elaboration of the strategic and the legislative framework in the field of public transport. As regards the tourism, this field is not included in the category of the exclusive competences or in those shared in the multilevel governance system of the European Union. Therefore, there is no existence of a Community tourist policy, the Commission's involvement refer to the articles concerning the freedom of services. The Romanian Tourism Sector suffered from the absence of an overall policy to run and manage the development of the sector. In 2009, The Ministry of Tourism prepared and published a Tourism Law - draft for consultation, the citizens and institutions concerned having the opportunity to submit any proposals or suggestions. This law was not approved yet by Parliament. Financial framework There are many resources, at national and European level for of projects aiming to support sustainable tourism and transport development. The main financial resources are represented by the Structural Funds, especially the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The European and National Funds positively influence these fields, particularly in what concerns the development of the institutional capacities at local and regional level. From the quantitative perspective, the impact of these funds is represented by investments in Page 13 / 57

14 transportation infrastructure, accommodation or in programs that promote tourism destinations, in addition to indirect effects connected to other local and regional development. Finally, communities supporting different projects focus on the anticipated results and on various types of long-lasting developments. In terms of project s funding sources with direct or indirect impact on tourism and sustainable transport, the local public administration have the opportunity to access various grants schemes, or may act as project manager and get involved in the of national scale projects funded by the national government. Conclusions: The South-East Region has a strategic position in the country being crossed by important Pan European corridors (IV, IX road/rail; corridor VII fluvial Danube). Some of the national roads crossing the Region are part of big trans-european corridors. The Region has the 4th largest maritime port in Europe and the largest Black Sea harbour (Constanta). The Region concentrates maritime harbours and river-maritime harbours. The South- East Region has a relative good accessibility, except Tulcea County. The main international gateway to the region is country s capital with a broad choice of international connections by air, train and bus. There is one international airport in Constanta, which is out of the target area and one internal airport in target area (Tulcea). An important regional transportation and tourist node of type B is Tulcea city as the main entry to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. Galati, Braila and Constanta represent an important regional transportation and tourism node (type C) outside the focus area. As regards the percentage of roads that have been modernized (27.27%), the region is ranked the last place among the Romania regions. The regional road network condition and functionality is poor, improvements are expected for the road quality, the lighting and the signing system. Furthermore, in the majority of rural areas the existing interconnecting road system is not paved and in its greater part is composed by sandy roads. The future actions should be concentrated on the: development of targeted national programs for road transport sector; high transport development potential, especially for the river and sea transport (Danube and Black Sea); creation of new Danube harbours; transfer of freight transport from road transport to the air, railroad and sea/river; development of deck boats/cruisers connection from Braila through Galati to Tulcea and a fast ship connection to the Danube Delta in order to facilitate the access to the natural protected area. Due to its geographical position, the SE Region has an important tourism potential with its large diversity of cultural and natural resources, harmoniously distributed, which can provide opportunities for various forms of tourism, from classical ones (mountain, seaside, wellness and spa, cultural tourism), to the rural tourism, ecotourism and adventure tourism. Great and divers number of protected areas exist in the region, the most important being the Danube Delta, declared Biosphere Reserve ; Braila Small Island Natural Park, a wetland of international importance (Ramsar site) and Macin Mountains National Park international recognized as a component of NATURA 2000 Habitats and Birds Directive. In the area of Tulcea county, historical and archaeological sites are present (monasteries and relics), museums with different themes, tourists having the opportunity to combine the cultural tourism with the eco-tourism, bird watching and fishing. The customs and traditions are preserved especially in Tulcea county and the Danube Delta Biosphere where small ethnic groups of Slav people named lipoveni are living. Although, there are some NGOs/Associations very actively in developing and promoting the niche tourism in the Danube Delta, the promotion of the tourism offer at national and international level should be improved. There are some information and promotion centres as well as ecological and training centres available in the protected areas and in the urban centres near the protected areas including a National Information Centre and a Danube Delta Eco-tourism Centre in Tulcea city but their number should be increased especially in the area of Braila Small Island and Macin Mountains National Park. Moreover, the personnel working in those centres should be highly trained, the services offered should be further developed, the working program with the public should be expanded and a suitable network of multi-functional tourism centres should be created in the tourism areas. Page 14 / 57

15 The tourism offers and packages as well as the soft mobility to/in the target area are underdeveloped. The tourism offers vary from one area to another. If in the Danube Delta, the hotels offer tourism packages including transport from Tulcea to the destination, accommodation and meals, boats to visit the Biosphere, fishing trips or bird watching, in the area of Braila Small Island and Macin Mountains National Park, the accommodation facilities are almost inexistent as well as the leisure facilities. Due to the seasonal tourism in the area, the tourism offers and packages should be improved in order to attract tourists and to face the strong competition with the surrounding regions. Regarding the old city centres from the target area, they are in a very poor state and need to be renovated. The cooperation among the tourism operators, the number of partnerships existing in the tourism field among local administrations and tourism organization are very low. The involvement of the public authorities in developing sustainable mobility plans/strategies/programs in tourism is low. The efforts of the authorities are isolated and no single cooperation could be identified in the field of sustainable mobility in tourism as a distinctive topic between public authorities, tourism organizations and public transport operators. There are no concrete strategies for supporting tourism development and soft mobility in tourism. There is no correlation among the initiatives for tourism development and the national programs of general infrastructure development. The financial resources of the local public administration to implement new development projects including the co-financing resources to support national and European projects in the field are very limited. Also, the capital of the tourism companies for direct investment in tourism is reduced. The negative factors which influence the tourism development are: the international economic crisis that affects negatively more and more the national economy; the Romania s negative image abroad; the exodus of the qualified workforce in other countries and the fluctuation of the tourism personnel; the trend to develop economic activities with a negative impact on the environment and with no implication of sustainable development of natural resources. The future actions should be concentrated on: the tourism capitalization of the Danube river (transport, leisure activities) including soft mobility s (bike trails in the protected areas and combining bike trails along the Danube river with ship-bus offers to reach the National Park of Macin Mountains); the development of some niche tourism forms (ecotourism, cyclo-tourism, off-road tourism, cruise tourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, agro-tourism, nature tourism, angling tourism); the opportunity to access European Funds and to attract foreign investors for the tourism development; high interest at the international level for biodiversity preservation and sustainable tourism promotion; creation of new visiting centres and information using European funds; increase of public interest and confidence in the information received from the information centres; further development of the existing relationships and structures in cross-border cooperation. The success of tourism development in the Danube area depends on the support of the stakeholders involved and their cooperation. There is a strong need to develop public and private partnerships in order to capitalize the tourism opportunities and sustainable transportation options, integrating natural and cultural patrimony, environmental protection, accessibility and development with the most appropriate methods. Page 15 / 57

16 3.3 Gap Analysis 1. Sustainable Mobility Offers Objective 1.1. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 1.2. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 1.3. Gap Recommendations for s Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport Lack of a common framework/vision in the entire region, correlated master/action/management plans and strategies In order to create a common approach, the areas and the plans must be known and correlated Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Lack of infrastructure - Missing safe and environmental-friendly connections to tourism hotspots. Public transport linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the dry land runs solely by water. Water/rail/bus transport is slow and morally and physically obsolete; Investments in this area are low and scarce. In order to increase transport accessibility, it is necessary to provide direct connections towards DDBR and to improve the transport offers within the region. Create transport accessibility within and towards the protected area Lack of infrastructure - Missing adequate sustainable transport offers. The need for infrastructure must be integrated into regional/national plans and strategies 2. Tourist packages Objective 2.1. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 2.2. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 2.3. Gap Development of integrated tourism packages Lack of interlinked tourism offers IN order to develop the packages, it is necessary to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders/travel operators within the region and with those from the countries along the Danube river Improve the quality of tourism services Lack of certified/customised/improved services Increase the cooperation between travel operators and their training Improving the Danube s Delta landscape Lack of infrastructure - Low attractiveness. There are still problems regarding the abandoned buildings in Caraorman which affect the natural landscape. For tourists safety efforts should be made for replacing the existent pavilions with new ones, and in accordance with DDBRA s rules. Page 16 / 57

17 Recommendations for s In order to improve Danube s Delta landscape the abandoned buildings must be removed and leisure facilities must be improved for increasing tourists safety and satisfaction. 3. Information & Marketing Objective 3.1. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 3.2. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 3.3. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 3.4. Gap Recommendations for s Inform, influence and educate citizens/tourists, as well as form attitudes about transportation options Tourists may be reluctant to visit Danube Delta due to insufficient information. There have not been implemented any awareness campaigns on existing/sustainable transport offers. For increasing Danube Delta attractiveness, efforts should concentrate on promoting sustainable transport offers available in the area. Development of niche tourism: ecotourism, cyclo-tourism, off-road, cruise tourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, agro-tourism, the natural environment, tourism related to fishing activities etc. Missing a preventing conduct for preserving the environment. Currently, in DDBR is practiced a mass-tourism. It is necessary to promote niche tourism in order to preserve the biosphere. Lack of an integrated approach. For preserving the specificity of the DDBR, the focus should be on developing those types of tourism that have minimum negative impact. Improving DDBR s image Low number of tourists. The DDBR is not sufficiently promoted, which is seen in the number of foreign tourists who stay in the Delta. If in 2008, 45% of the tourists staying in Delta were foreign, last year, according to the date published by National Institute for Statistics, the share of foreign tourists was about 12-15%. Creating a brand is necessary for better promoting the DDBR, this having an impact on the economic development of the area. Developing a user-friendly information system to promote traditional and alternative tourism programs (bicycles, sea, hiking, tent etc.) Missing friendly communication instruments. The official DDBR s internet page contains general information on the reserve; although the webpage is bilingual not all the information is available in English. The internet page should be improved as it is the main information source about the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The internet page should also contain information on practicing sustainable tourism and the sustainable tourism offers. Given the importance of the internet, the online communication instruments should be refined so that tourists can rely on this type of documentation. Page 17 / 57

18 Objective 3.5. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 3.6. Gap Recommendations for s Developing and promoting customized consulting services through information centres The role of these centres in promoting and providing customized services to tourists is not fully exploited. In the area there are Information and Ecological Education Centres in Chilia Veche, Tulcea, Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe, Uzlina, Murighiol, and Crisan. The staff of these centres should be continuously trained in order to improve the quality and to increase the number of services provided to tourists. Raising awareness about the benefits of sustainable transport and tourism among tourists Tourist s reluctance to using sustainable transport and tourism offers. No awareness campaigns on sustainable transport have been implemented. Awareness campaigns for increasing the efficiency of sustainable transport and tourism offers; develop and promote a regional database containing information on sustainable packages available within DDBR. 4. Financial options, organizational and legal framework Objective 4.1. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 4.2. Gap Recommendations for s Objective 4.3. Gap Increasing cooperation between key players in the tourism and transport, including local/regional authorities, travel/transport/environment NGOs, through consultations and dialogue on mobility, accessibility, transport and sustainable tourism Low level of cooperation between key players hinders sustainable development. The cooperation between key players in area is low. For the harmonious development of local transport and tourism, focusing on tourists needs, efforts should be made for increasing the dialogue and cooperation between all relevant stakeholders. Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on environment Low power of DDBR Authority in the decision making process concerning the development of the DDBR. The Biosphere s administration initiated and implemented projects in the field; and access and conduct rules were set. In order to increase the power of DDBRA it is necessary to develop instruments for monitoring the effects of transport and tourism on the natural area, to intensify the cooperation between stakeholders and to develop an interregional approach to these phenomena. Promoting sustainable mobility financing opportunities through territorial cooperation programs in border area Missing financial opportunities for sustainable development of the region. Funds raised by Tulcea County through Regional Operational Page 18 / 57

19 Recommendations for s Program for reviving tourism positions the county 2nd in the top region, with an amount raised of 58.5 million Lei. Accessed funds for rehabilitation projects/expansion of the network of water/wastewater and sewage totalling million Lei, value Tulcea on the 3rd positions in the top region. To protect nature and biodiversity, the funds raised reached 94.3 million Lei, with this figure Tulcea occupying the first place in the national rankings. In order to achieve sustainable development, efforts should concentrate on increasing stakeholders interest to implement specific projects Page 19 / 57

20 4 ACTION PLAN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT AND TOURISM AND ACCESS FACILITATION TOWARDS AND INSIDE THE DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE The development of the regional action plan is assigned to the tactical level of the planning hierarchy. 4.1 Catalogue of development s The list of necessary s to achieve the defined s has been elaborated based on the findings of the gap analysis in the strategy development process. Moreover, there were analysed the existing development plans for s (Act. 3.2 State of the Art analysis), such as: Regional and National Development Plans, Master Plan for the South-East Region of Romania, The Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Danube Delta, Plans and Strategies designed for the management and promotion of the protected areas, Management Strategy for Visitors, Eco-tourism Strategy for the Braila Small Island. As a result, there were identified development s on the following topics: 1. Sustainable transport offers - Elaborate a Plan for Sustainable Transport for urban and rural areas by developing public-private partnerships and creating incentives for public transport; - Identify the multimodal transport integration potential; - Develop a Management Plan for Multimodal Transport; - Develop feasibility studies in order to identify the proper path for developing the area; - Modernize the railway route Tulcea-Medgidia; - Modernization of the naval fleet designed for passenger transportation by encouraging the acquisition of efficient ships in terms of fuel consumption and better handling and adjusting the transport offers to residents needs; - Increasing the navigability on Danube and consolidating the banks for increasing safety; - Modernization of the transport infrastructure; - Connect the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve with main transport routes, to facilitate de movement of goods, people and information; - Create direct connections over small/medium distances Tulcea, Isaccea, Mahmudia, Chilia Veche, Sulina and Sf. Gheorghe; - Create/upgrade networks bicycle lanes Tulcea County and ensure better management of tracks by interconnecting runways, smother land border crossings and by prohibiting motor vehicles to park on the lanes. 2. Tourist packages - Creating integrated packages linking Delta and Macin Mountains; - Develop packages that include trips to European harbours on the Danube River and visits to Danube Delta; - Develop tourist packages linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and the protected areas from Ukraine (Danube Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar sites along the Chilia Arm etc.); - Improve links between travel agencies in Danube countries to create integrated tourist packages for Danube Delta; - Promote certified services and customized services; - Organizing workshops and trainings for the employees of travel agencies and for the accommodation providers in Delta and surrounding areas to improve the quality of services and better connect the offer and tourists expectations; Page 20 / 57

21 - Improving the Danube s Delta landscape. 3. Information & Marketing - Increase visibility of public transport mobility opportunities and other sustainable transport modes cycling; - Promoting Danube Delta as an ecotourism destination; - Develop the brand to define an eco-friendly tourism in DDBR; - Improving the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve web page, by making it user-friendly and encompassing all the information needed by tourists - information about protected areas, types of tourism, tourist offers, access routes to the delta, contacts of the tourist information/documentation centres, list with detailed contacts of travel agencies in the area; - Providing training for centres staff; - Develop a regional database on sustainable and transport offers; - Promote sustainable transport and tourism among tourists. 4. Financing options, organizational and legal framework - Creating strategic partnerships between tourism and transport operators, in order to develop a common vision on specific transport for tourism; - Intensify the dialogue between stakeholders; - Conduct a study on the accommodation capacity of the DDBR, in order to control and prevent the negative impacts of tourism on the nature habits of the protected area; - Institutional strengthening of the authorities managing the protected area; - Increase authorities monitoring capacity on the effects of transport and tourism on the environment, and improving response capacity to specific problems; - Promote innovative projects on transport and sustainable tourism concepts, ecological and recreational facilities financed by European funds for interregional cooperation; - Identifying and promoting the sustainable mobility financing opportunities; - Establishing strategic partnerships in order to develop cross border projects in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut River Region. Beside the s which have already been mentioned/planned, new s will be necessary in order to overcome the identified gaps. 4.2 Evaluation of development s In order to select those s which contribute most to the achievement of the defined s, the impact of single was evaluated beforehand. Because it is easier to monitor the success of the implemented s, even if it is clear that these numbers can just be estimations at this stage, the tangible outputs are defined as follows: Number of Plans for Sustainable Transport elaborated 1 Number of studies conducted for identifying the needs and expectations of tourists from multimodal travel, and also the potential of multimodal travel 1 Number of management plans for multimodal transport created 1 Number of feasibility studies (deck boats/cruisers connection from Braila through Galatzi to Tulcea and a fast ship connection to the Danube Delta, bike routes inside the Danube Delta, Business plan for multimodal node at Tulcea) 3 Number of modernized railway - 1, route Tulcea-Medgidia Percent of modern ships purchased for passenger transport 10% Page 21 / 57

22 Percent of low fuel consumer ships at least 10% Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by removing at least 50% of existent shipwrecks Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by dredging 3 Danube Delta channels Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by consolidating 20% of the river banks Percent of modernized jetties at least 20% Number of mooring pontoons for high capacity vessels in the ports created at least 1 Number of bridges connecting DDBR and Tulcea and Braila 1 Number of new river transport connections between Tulcea and Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe and Chilia Veche 3 Number of bus connections 1 Share of modernized bike lanes in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 50% Share of interconnected runways at least 20% No of meetings between representatives of travel agencies from countries with access to the Danube River 1 Number of tourist packages linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the Ukrainian Danube lakes at least 1 Number of integrated packages linking European ports on the Danube and the Delta at least 1 Number of integrated packages linking Danube Delta and Macin Mountains created and promoted at least 1 Number of trainings 1/year Number of workshops and consultations at least 2/year Number of certified tourist agencies 2 Number of tourist catalogues translated in English/German/French at least 2 Share of removed building abandoned in Caraorman 100% Share of removed DDBRA pavilions 100% Share of new pavilions 100% No of awareness and promotion campaigns of public transport and other sustainable modes of transport- 1 Awareness campaigns on niche tourism and ecotourism in particular - 1 Number of studies necessary for creating the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve brand at least 1 Number of contracts with advertisers 1 Name, logo, core values created and promoted Number of brands registered at the National Office for Registration of Trademarks 1 Number of TV spots created and disseminated 1 Number of radio spots created and disseminated 1 Number of banners for the internet pages created and disseminated 1 Number of improved websites 1 Number of marketing strategies created 1 Number of digital maps of available tours 1 Number of trainings at least 2/year Share of certified trained staff at least 70% Number of informed tourism agencies which included information on the sustainable transport in their tourism offers and package at least 2 No of campaigns/conferences/workshops conducted for promoting the benefits of sustainable transport 1 Number of regional databases on sustainable tourism and transport 1 Number of comprehensive public consultations 2/year Number of strategic partnerships created at least 1 project Number of projects in partnerships between at least two of the stakeholders mentioned at least 1 project Number of innovative projects promoted - 2 Number of trainings at least 1/year Number of exchange visits at least 1/year Share of urban plans and tourism development plans (master plans, strategies) approved by the DDBRA - 100% Page 22 / 57

23 Guide for measuring the impact of tourism on the Delta biosphere - 1 Number of studies on the accommodation capacity of the DDBR 1 No of project partnerships implemented by the Inter-community Development Associations 1 Number of projects submitted and implemented 1 Number of awareness campaigns at least 1 at regional level and at least 1 at local level. 4.3 Consultation process During June July 2013, several individual meetings and one workshop were held with the key actors from Tulcea County in order to raise awareness on the theme of sustainable mobility in tourism and to get their involvement in the development of the strategy and action plan. On the 28 th of June 2013, SE RDA team organised a workshop in Tulcea with the aim to familiarize the stakeholders with TRANSDANUBE project and to identify and prioritise the draft s and s of the strategy for the sustainable development of transport and tourism and access facilitation towards and inside the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and Macin Mountains National Park. Representatives of the local public administration, Biosphere Reserve Administration, National Tourism Authority, the Danube Delta National Institute on Research and Development, Macin Mountains National Park Administration, Association of Tourism Operators from Danube Delta, Tulcea Environment Protection Agency attended the workshop. The meeting specific s were: - To familiarize the audience with the TRANSDANUBE project and with the theme of sustainable development of transport in tourism; - To raise awareness on the importance of cooperation between institutions acting in transport and tourism fields; - To emphasize the SE RDA role in of TRANSDANUBE project and the project estimated impact for the transport and tourism in the target area. Several steps were followed: - Presentation of the guidelines prepared for the elaboration of the strategy and action in the field of sustainable transport in tourism; - Consultation on the first draft of the Action Plan s s and s identified by SE RDA team based on the gap analysis; - First prioritization of the Action Plan s s and s based on the consultation with the key stakeholders. The first draft of s and s were included in a questionnaire prepared by SE RDA team. These s and s were presented and explained by SERDA team and the participants were asked to analyse them, to prioritize the s and s already identified and to add new ideas/pilot projects in order to improve the Action Plan content. Some of the responses were obtained immediately while others proposals/suggestions were received during July after individual meetings with the main actors in the field of transport and tourism from the target area. Based on the recommendations given during the working groups organised within the project meeting held in Bratislava for the analysis of the draft version of Regional Action Plans, SE RDA initiated a second round of consultation (during October November 2013) with the local key stakeholders for the prioritisation of the s. The following characteristics were taken into consideration: development s with high priority for the region; in line with project s; achievement within project timeframe. After the analysis of questionnaires collected during the second round of consultation with the key local stakeholders, the Action Plan s s were prioritised. Page 23 / 57

24 4.4 Prioritisation of realisable development s 1. Sustainable mobility offers Measure Elaborate a Plan for Sustainable Transportation for urban and rural areas, developing public-private partnerships and creating incentives for public transport Objective: 1.1 Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport Gap: Lack of a common framework/vision in the entire region, correlated with master/action/management plans and strategies Recommendations: In order to create a common approach, the areas and the plans must be known and correlated and The Plan for Sustainable Transport will create the premises for transforming transportation systems so that they become sustainable, both in terms of competitiveness (congestion costs) and environment protection (air quality, noise). Its will reduce isolation, will increase accessibility, will reduce pollution, will decongest traffic, this being an obstacle to economic competitiveness. Better connectivity for regional, urban and rural areas will increase the number of tourists - Number of Plans for Sustainable Transport elaborated ,000 Euros Financing options Territorial Cooperation Programmes Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) South-East Regional Development Agency Public Authorities from the South-East Region Priority of Medium priority Page 24 / 57

25 Measure Identify the multimodal integration potential Objective: 1.1 Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport Gap: Lack of a common framework/vision in the entire region, correlated master/action/management plans and strategies Recommendations: In order to create a common approach, the areas and the plans must be known and correlated and Financing options By conducting a study on multimodal travelling, relevant data on the potential of this type of transport will be gathered, tourists and locals needs and expectations on this matter will be identified and it would create the premises for implementing an intelligent transport system. This study will be the first step towards the elaborating a Management Plan for Multimodal Transport. Improving accessibility and connectivity; reducing traffic congestion; and enhancement of the level of service of roads - Number of studies conducted for identifying the needs and expectations of tourists from multimodal travel, and also the potential of multimodal travel 1 50,000 Euros Territorial Cooperation Programmes Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) South-East Regional Development Agency Public Authorities from the South-East Region Priority of 50 High priority Page 25 / 57

26 Measure Develop a Management Plan for Multimodal Transport Objective: 1.1 Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport Gap: Lack of a common framework/vision in the entire region, correlated master/action/management plans and strategies Recommendations: In order to create a common approach, the areas and the plans must be known and correlated and Financing options Through the Management Plan for Multimodal Transport, the area will develop an integrated approach, a common vision for a sustainable management. Ensure accessible movement of goods and people by creating a common management plan for multimodal transport - Number of management plans for multimodal transport created ,000 Euros Territorial Cooperation Programmes Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) Local authorities Priority of Local authorities 45 Medium priority Page 26 / 57

27 Measure and Financing options Realization horizon Priority of Develop feasibility studies in order to identify the proper path for developing the area Objective: 1.1 Create soft s for developing a common framework in the field of sustainable transport Gap: Lack of a common framework/vision in the entire region, correlated master/action/management plans and strategies Recommendations: In order to create a common approach, the areas and the plans must be known and correlated The feasibility studies will verify whether the identified opportunities are wellfounded and are likely to meet the needs of its intended target groups / beneficiaries. The feasibility study will be a compromise between simplicity, clarity and thoroughness. The feasibility studies will fulfil the lack information about the opportunities inside the target area. Number of feasibility studies (deck boats/cruisers connection from Braila through Galatzi to Tulcea and a fast ship connection to the Danube Delta, bike routes inside the Danube Delta, Business plan for multimodal node at Tulcea) ,000 Euros Transdanube project/ SEE Program Short-term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project South-East Regional Development Agency Public Authorities from the South-East Region 54 High priority Page 27 / 57

28 Measure Modernize the railway route Tulcea-Medgidia Objective: 1.2 Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing safe and environmental-friendly connections to tourism hotspots. Public transport linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the dry land runs solely by water. Water/rail/bus transport is slow and morally and physically obsolete; Investments in this area are low and scarce. Recommendations: In order to increase transport accessibility, it is necessary to provide direct connections towards DDBR and to improve the transport offers within the region. and Financing options Modernization of the railway Tulcea-Medgidia will increase the number of tourists using this type of transport offer and reduce pollution in the area This will reduce the pollution in the area - Number of modernized railway - 1, route Tulcea-Medgidia 200,000 Euros Sectoral Operational Programme Transport Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) CNCF CFR S.A. Priority of CNCF CFR S.A. 45 Medium priority Page 28 / 57

29 Measure Modernization of the naval fleet designed for passenger transportation by encouraging the acquisition of efficient ships in terms of fuel consumption and better handling and adjusting the transport offers to residents needs Objective: 1.2 Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing safe and environmental-friendly connections to tourism hotspots. Public transport linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the dry land runs solely by water. Water/rail/bus transport is slow and morally and physically obsolete; Investments in this area are low and scarce. Recommendations: In order to increase transport accessibility, it is necessary to provide direct connections towards DDBR and to improve the transport offers within the region. and Financing options This aims upgrading the public transport on water. Increasing the number of modern ships and low consumer ships will have positive impact on inhabitants lives. Support sustainable transport when visiting Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve by using modern low energy consumer ships - Percent of modern ships purchased for passenger transport 10% - Percent of low fuel consumer ships at least 10% 2,000,000 Euros Operational Programme Transport Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) Navrom Delta Company Navrom Delta Company Priority of 42 Medium priority Page 29 / 57

30 Measure Increasing the navigability on Danube and consolidating the banks for increasing safety Objective: 1.2 Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing safe and environmental-friendly connections to tourism hotspots. Public transport linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the dry land runs solely by water. Water/rail/bus transport is slow and morally and physically obsolete; Investments in this area are low and scarce. Recommendations: In order to increase transport accessibility, it is necessary to provide direct connections towards DDBR and to improve the transport offers within the region. and Through this Danube s River banks will be consolidated and the waterway transit will be streamlined and secured by dredging channels and by removing shipwrecks. The biggest problems are raised by the appearance of flaws in the banks of Ceatalchioi, Colesnicov, Ungureanu and Chermaneanu, which increases the risk of flooding. Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by removing at least 50% of existent shipwrecks - Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by dredging 3 Danube Delta channels - Improving the safety of transport on the Danube by consolidating 20% of the river banks Financing options Sectoral Operational Programme Environment Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) Public authorities Public authorities Priority of 37 Low priority Page 30 / 57

31 Measure Modernization of the transport infrastructure Objective: 1.2 Upgrading the existing transport infrastructure Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing safe and environmental-friendly connections to tourism hotspots. Public transport linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the dry land runs solely by water. Water/rail/bus transport is slow and morally and physically obsolete; Investments in this area are low and scarce. Recommendations: In order to increase transport accessibility, it is necessary to provide direct connections towards DDBR and to improve the transport offers within the region. Rebuilding the jetties in the Delta and creating a mooring pontoon will have positive effects on the quality and quantity of transport and tourism. Danube Delta will be more appealing to tourists due to the increase number of and modernized jetties and the construction of one mooring pontoon for high capacity vessels in Tulcea - Percent of modernized jetties at least 20% - Number of mooring pontoons for high capacity vessels in the ports created at least 1 1,000,000 Euros Financing options Governmental funds, Operational Programme Transport Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) Navrom Delta Company Navrom Delta Company Priority of 48 Medium priority Page 31 / 57

32 Measure Connect the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve with main transport routes, to facilitate de movement of goods, people and information Objective: 1.3 Create transport accessibility within and towards the protected area Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing adequate sustainable transport offers. Recommendations: The need for infrastructure must be integrated into regional/national plans and strategies and Financing options The new bridge connecting Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and Tulcea and Braila would create geographic link by road between Moldavia-Muntenia and Danube Delta, respectively between Constanta and the Black Sea. The existence of the bridge would allow the establishment of bike lanes thus boosting the use of environmentally friendly vehicles and stimulating sports. The new bridge will improve the life of the inhabitants by creating new ways of access to the shore towns. Also the existence of a bridge would decrease the waiting times for tourists and inhabitants. Tourists will have the opportunity to use sustainable transport offers when visiting the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve - Number of bridges connecting DDBR and Tulcea and Braila million Euros Governmental Funds Realization horizon Long-term: within five to ten years ( Local authorities Priority of Local authorities 45 Medium priority Page 32 / 57

33 Measure Create direct connections over small/medium distances Objective: 1.3 Create transport accessibility within and towards the protected area Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing adequate sustainable transport offers. Recommendations: The need for infrastructure must be integrated into regional/national plans and strategies and By developing direct connections on land and water, the transport offers will be more attractive by reducing to minimum the waiting times and will reduce isolation of the villages Connecting Danube Delta with existing regional infrastructure will improve residents life - Number of new river transport connections between Tulcea and Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe and Chilia Veche 3 - Number of bus connections 1 446,000 Euros Governmental Funds Financing options Realization horizon Long term: within five to ten years ( ) Public authorities Priority of Navrom Delta Company 48 Medium priority Page 33 / 57

34 Measure Create networks bicycle lanes in Tulcea county and ensure better management of tracks by interconnecting runways, smother land border crossings and by prohibiting motor vehicles to park on the lanes Objective: 1.3 Create transport accessibility within and towards the protected area Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Missing adequate sustainable transport offers. Recommendations: The need for infrastructure must be integrated into regional/national plans and strategies By implementing this, the bike lanes within DDBR will be modernized and interconnected. Incorporated into a tourist package offer, the interconnected bike lanes in DDBR and should attract more tourists - Share of modernized bike lanes in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve 50% - Share of interconnected runways at least 20% 50,000 Euros Financing options Regional Operational Programme/Environment Fund Administration Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Public authorities Public authorities Priority of 48 Medium priority Page 34 / 57

35 2. Tourist packages Measure and Financing options Realization horizon Priority of Creating integrated packages linking Delta and Macin Mountains Objective: 2.1 Development of integrated tourism packages Gap: Lack of interlinked tourism offers Recommendations: In order to develop the packages, it is necessary to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders/travel operators within the region and with those from the countries along the Danube river Until now, the travel agencies have identified the need to create packages that integrate Danube Delta and the Black Sea. To increase the attractiveness of the area tourist operators should designed to promote a tourist package for the two protected areas in Tulcea County Danube Delta and Macin Mountains, access between the two can be done on Macin arm. Complex tourism packages will increase the attractiveness of DDBR - Number of integrated packages linking Danube Delta and Macin Mountains created and promoted at least 1 10,000 Euros Travel Agencies budget or project financed from EU funds from ERDF - Regional Operational Programme for South-East region Short-term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project South-East Regional Development Agency, Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Travel agencies 51 High priority Page 35 / 57

36 Measure Develop packages that include trips to European harbours on the Danube River and visits to Danube Delta Objective: 2.1 Development of integrated tourism packages Gap: Lack of interlinked tourism offers Recommendations: In order to develop the packages, it is necessary to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders/travel operators within the region and with those from the countries along the Danube river and Financing options This emphasis the need to exploit Danube s tourism potential by developing tourism packages linking Danube s European cruise ports and Danube Delta. Such will have a positive effect on the number of tourists coming to DDBR. Complex tourism packages will increase the attractiveness of DDBR - Number of integrated packages linking European ports on the Danube and the Delta at least 1 10,000 Euros Travel Agencies budget or project financed from EU funds from ERDF - Regional Operational Programme for South-East region Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Priority of Travel agencies 53 High priority Page 36 / 57

37 Measure Develop tourist packages linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and the protected areas from Ukraine (Danube Biosphere Reserve, Ramsar sites along Chilia Arm etc.) Objective: 2.1 Development of integrated tourism packages Gap: Lack of interlinked tourism offers Recommendations: In order to develop the packages, it is necessary to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders/travel operators within the region and with those from the countries along the Danube river and Financing options Developing tourist packages linking the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the Ukrainian Danube lakes will increase the number of tourists interested in discovering the natural wonders created and hosted by the Danube. An integrated package will be beneficiary for both countries. Complex tourism packages will increase the attractiveness of Danube Delta as a cross border protected area - Number of tourist packages linking Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve to the Ukrainian Danube lakes at least 1 10,000 Euros Travel Agencies budget or project financed from EU funds from ERDF - Regional Operational Programme for South-East region Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Travel agencies Priority of High priority Page 37 / 57

38 Measure Improve links between travel agencies in Danube countries to create integrated tourist packages for Danube Delta Objective: 2.1 Development of integrated tourism packages Gap: Lack of interlinked tourism offers Recommendations: In order to develop the packages, it is necessary to intensify the dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders/travel operators within the region and with those from the countries along the Danube river and Financing options Organizing annual meetings between travel operators from the Danube River countries is very important for developing tourist packages matching tourists needs and expectations. This will increase the number of foreign tourists - Number of meetings between representatives of travel agencies from countries with access to the Danube River at least 1/year - 10,000 Euros EU funds (promotion campaigns and brand creation funds) from the ERDF Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Travel agencies Priority of Travel agencies 46 Medium priority Page 38 / 57

39 Measure and Promote certified services and customized services Objective: Improve the quality of tourism services Gap: Lack of certified/customised/improved services Recommendations: Increase the cooperation between travel operators and their training This ensures quality tourist services by increasing the certified agencies and by stimulating agencies to develop customized services promoting certified accommodation facilities in Delta and developing multilingual tourist catalogues. This will increase institutional capacity through trained staff and improved tourism services - Number of workshops and consultations at least 2/year - number of certified tourist agencies 2 - Number of tourist catalogues translated in English/German/French at least 2 60,000 Euros Financing options Mix funding private-public Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Priority of 43 Medium priority Page 39 / 57

40 Measure Organizing workshops for the employees of travel agencies and for the accommodation providers in Delta and surrounding areas to improve the quality of services and better connect the offer and tourists expectations Objective: Improve the quality of tourism services Gap: Lack of certified/customised/improved services Recommendations: Increase the cooperation between travel operators and their training and Financing options Increasing cooperation between travel operators and accommodation providers within the area is very important. Through the workshops, the key players will have the opportunity to discuss, share and better respond to tourists needs and expectations in order to increase the number of visits and stays in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. By organizing at least an annual training for the employees of travel agencies, the quality of the tourism offers will be increased. This will increase institutional capacity through trained staff - Number of trainings 1/year 100,000 Euros Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism Priority of Travel agencies 40 Medium priority Page 40 / 57

41 Measure Improving the Danube s Delta landscape Objective: 2.3 Improving the Danube s Delta landscape Gap: Lack of infrastructure - Low attractiveness. There are still problems regarding the abandoned buildings in Caraorman which affect the natural landscape. For tourists safety, efforts should be made for replacing the existent pavilions with new ones, and in accordance with DDBRA s rules. Recommendations: In order to improve Danube s Delta landscape the abandoned buildings must be removed and leisure facilities must be improved for increasing tourists safety and satisfaction. and This aims at increasing the safety and attractiveness of DDBR. By implementing this, tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy the natural landscape of Danube Delta. This will improve the natural landscape by removing all the abandoned buildings in Caraorman and by replacing the pavilions - Share of removed building abandoned in Caraorman 100% - Share of removed DDBRA pavilions 100% - Share of new pavilions 100% 300,000 Euros Financing options Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) DDBRA steps of the process organization DDBRA of Priority of High priority Page 41 / 57

42 3. Information & Marketing Measure Increase visibility of public transport mobility opportunities and other sustainable transport modes cycling Objective: 3.1 Inform, influence and educate citizens/tourists, as well as form attitudes about transportation options Gap: Tourists may be reluctant to visit Danube Delta due to insufficient information. There have not been implemented any awareness campaigns on existing/sustainable transport offers. Recommendations: For increasing Danube Delta attractiveness, efforts should concentrate on promoting sustainable transport offers available in the area. and Financing options The awareness campaign will inform and educate the public on the multimodal/sustainable transport and will increase the accessibility to and in the target area. Tourists and residents will be better informed on sustainable transportation offers - Number of awareness and promotion campaigns of public transport and other sustainable modes of transport - at least 1/year 20,000 Euros Governmental Funds Realization horizon Short term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) South-East Regional Development Agency Priority of South-East Regional Development Agency 51 High priority Page 42 / 57

43 Measure Promoting Danube Delta as an ecotourism destination Objective: 3.2 Development of niche tourism: ecotourism, cyclo-tourism, off-road, cruise tourism, rural tourism, religious tourism, agro-tourism, the natural environment, tourism related to fishing activities etc. Gap: Missing a preventing conduct for preserving the environment. Currently, in DDBR is practiced a mass-tourism. It is necessary to promote niche tourism in order to preserve the biosphere. Lack of an integrated approach. Recommendations: For preserving the specificity of the DDBR, the focus should be on developing those types of tourism that have minimum negative impact. and Financing options The Information Center will promote DDBR as a niche tourism destination, with accent on ecotourism. A better promotion of the DDBR as a niche and eco-tourism destination will increase the number of visitors - Awareness campaigns on niche tourism and ecotourism in particular ,000 Euros ROP Realization horizon Short-term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) Litoral-Delta Dunării Association Priority of Litoral-Delta Dunării Association 52 Medium priority Page 43 / 57

44 Measure Develop the brand to define an eco-friendly tourism in DDBR Objective: 3.3 Improving DDBR s image Gap: Low number of tourists. The DDBR is not sufficiently promoted, which is seen in the number of foreign tourists who stay in the Delta. If in 2008, 45% of the tourists staying in Delta were foreign, last year, according to the date published by National Institute for Statistics, the share of foreign tourists was about 12-15%. Recommendations: Creating a brand is necessary for better promoting the DDBR, this having an impact on the economic development of the area. and This focuses on developing a brand for Danube Delta. Although the uniqueness of the Danube Delta is a good tool for communication, however, it is necessary to create a marketing tool to better promote it as a tourism destination. The DDBR brand will generate a increase in the number of tourists: local and international and generate supplementary income for local communities - Number of studies necessary for creating the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve brand at least 1 - Number of contracts with advertisers 1 - Name, logo, core values created and promoted - Number of brands registered at the National Office for Registration of Trademarks 1 - Number of TV spots created and disseminated 1 - Number of radio spots created and disseminated 1 - Number of banners for the internet pages created and disseminated 1 100,000 Euros Governmental funds/eu funds ERDF (Regional Operational Programme) Financing options Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) DDBRA Priority of Travel agencies, National Authority for Tourism 50 High priority Page 44 / 57

45 Measure Improving the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve web site Objective: 3.4 Developing a user-friendly information system to promote traditional and alternative tourism programs (bicycles, sea, hiking, tent etc) Gap: Missing friendly communication instruments. The official DDBR s internet page contains general information on the reserve; although the webpage is bilingual not all the information is available in English. The internet page should be improved as it is the main information source about the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The internet page should also contain information on practicing sustainable tourism and the sustainable tourism offers. Recommendations: Given the importance of the internet, the online communication instruments should be refined so that tourists can rely on this type of documentation. and Financing options Realization horizon Priority of Through this the website of DDBR will be improved, a marketing strategy will be developed, digital maps will be promoted and the share of unique visitors on the website will increase. Creation of an user-friendly web page will be a good communication instrument and create at least one digital map/plan and raise the number of Danube Delta website visitors - Number of improved websites 1 - Number of marketing strategies created 1 - Number of digital maps of available tours ,000 Euros National funds Short term DDBRA DDBRA 51 High priority Page 45 / 57

46 Measure Providing training for centres staff Objective: 3.5 Developing and promoting customized consulting services through information centres Gap: The role of these centres in promoting and providing customized services to tourists is not fully exploited. In the area there are Information and Ecological Education Centres in Chilia Veche, Tulcea, Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe, Uzlina, Murighiol, Crisan. Recommendations: The staff of these centres should be continuously trained in order to improve the quality and to increase the number of services provided to tourists. and Financing options This focuses on the importance of continuous training for the employees of the information centres in order to optimize the response capacity. By implementing this, the centres staff will benefit of training, the employees will improve their English/French/German speaking capacity. The trainings should be implemented with EU funds for Human Resources Development. Increasing staff s competences in order to better respond to tourists needs - Number of trainings at least 2/year - Share of certified trained staff at least 70% 100,000 Euros Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Information and Ecological Education Centres Priority of Information and Ecological Education Centres 43 Medium priority Page 46 / 57

47 Measure Develop a regional database on sustainable transport offers Objective: 3.6 Raising awareness about the benefits of sustainable transport and tourism among tourists Gap: Tourist s reluctance to using sustainable transport and tourism offers. No awareness campaigns on sustainable transport have been implemented. Recommendations: Awareness campaigns for increasing the efficiency of sustainable transport and tourism offers; develop and promote a regional database containing information on sustainable packages available within DDBR. and Financing options The regional database will contain relevant regional information on products, accommodations, events and services that promotes durable transport and tourism. This will create one database on tourism and transport offers available at regional level - Number of regional databases on sustainable tourism and transport 1 60,000 Euros Governmental funds Realization horizon Short term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) South-East Regional Development Agency Priority of South-East Regional Development Agency 45 Medium priority Page 47 / 57

48 Measure Promote sustainable transport and tourism among tourists Objective: 3.6 Raising awareness about the benefits of sustainable transport and tourism among tourists Gap: Tourist s reluctance to using sustainable transport and tourism offers. No awareness campaigns on sustainable transport have been implemented. Recommendations: Awareness campaigns for increasing the efficiency of sustainable transport and tourism offers; develop and promote a regional database containing information on sustainable packages available within DDBR. The regional database will be promoted through an awareness campaign targeting travel agencies. This will improve people s opinion on sustainable transport and - Number of informed tourism agencies which included information on the sustainable transport in their tourism offers and package at least 2 - Number of campaigns/conferences/workshops conducted for promoting the benefits of sustainable transport 1/year 50,000 Euros Financing options Governmental funds Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local public authorities Local public authorities Priority of 46 Medium priority Page 48 / 57

49 4. Financing options, organizational and legal framework Measure Creating strategic partnerships between tourism and transport operators, in order to develop a common vision on specific transport for tourism Objective: 4.1 Increasing cooperation between key players in the tourism and transport, including local/regional authorities, travel/transport/environment NGOs, through consultations and dialogue on mobility, accessibility, transport and sustainable tourism Gap: Low level of cooperation between key players hinders sustainable development. The cooperation between key players in area is low Recommendations: For the harmonious development of local transport and tourism, focusing on tourists needs, efforts should be made for increasing the dialogue and cooperation between all relevant stakeholders. and The strategic partnerships created will increase the response capacity of the key players tourism and transport operators to the challenges of sustainable tourism and transport. The strategic partnership will implement at least one commune project on sustainable tourism and transport. This will lead to the improvement of transport and tourism offers by creating/enforcing at least 1 strategic partnership/development association between local communities from Danube Delta and Tulcea and Constanta County Council - Number of strategic partnerships created at least 1 project - Number of projects in partnerships between at least two of the stakeholders mentioned at least 1 project 5,000 Euros for managing the Association Governmental funds / transfer funds from County Council Financing options Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local authorities Priority of Local authorities 47 Medium priority Page 49 / 57

50 Measure Intensify the dialogue between stakeholders Objective: 4.1 Increasing cooperation between key players in the tourism and transport, including local/regional authorities, travel/transport/environment NGOs, through consultations and dialogue on mobility, accessibility, transport and sustainable tourism Gap: Low level of cooperation between key players hinders sustainable development. The cooperation between key players in area is low Recommendations: For the harmonious development of local transport and tourism, focusing on tourists needs, efforts should be made for increasing the dialogue and cooperation between all relevant stakeholders. and Financing options In order to develop a functional tourism destination, it is important to stimulate a permanent dialogue between all stakeholders. For improving the dialogue, it is necessary to organize consultations. Increasing the dialogue between public authorities and private operators, will reduce the number of appeals in court for not respecting FOI (sunshine legislation). This will lead to the improvement of policy making capacity by increasing the number of public comprehensive consultation to at least 2 per year - Number of comprehensive public consultations 2/year 1,000 Euros Local budget funds Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local authorities Priority of Local authorities 36 Low priority Page 50 / 57

51 Measure Conduct a study on the accommodation capacity of the DDBR, in order to control and prevent the negative impacts of tourism on the nature habits of the protected area Objective: 4.2 Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on environment Gap: Low power of DDBR Authority in the decision making process concerning the development of the DDBR. The Biosphere s administration initiated and implemented projects in the field; and access and conduct rules were set. Recommendations: In order to increase the power of DDBRA it is necessary to develop instruments for monitoring the effects of transport and tourism on the natural area, to intensify the cooperation between stakeholders and to develop an interregional approach to these phenomena. and Financing options Given the fact that more and more tourists are interested in visiting the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, and taking into consideration the specificity of this protected area, it is necessary to identify the number of tourists that could visit DDBR at same time and without disturbing or affecting the environment. This will create awareness on the negative impact of tourism on the environment by conducting one study on the accommodation capacity of DDBR - Guide for measuring the impact of tourism on the Delta biosphere Number of studies on the accommodation capacity of the DDBR 1 50,000 Euros Sectoral Operational Programme Environment Realization horizon Short term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) Tulcea County Council Priority of 51 High priority Page 51 / 57

52 Measure Institutional strengthening of the authorities managing the protected area Objective: 4.2 Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on environment Gap: Low power of DDBR Authority in the decision making process concerning the development of the DDBR. The Biosphere s administration initiated and implemented projects in the field; and access and conduct rules were set. Recommendations: In order to increase the power of DDBRA it is necessary to develop instruments for monitoring the effects of transport and tourism on the natural area, to intensify the cooperation between stakeholders and to develop an interregional approach to these phenomena. and Financing options Increasing the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority s power through its involvement in the development of urban plans and in the development of local tourism. This will reduce the negative impact of urbanization and economic development on environment - Share of urban plans and tourism development plans (master plans, strategies) approved by the DDBRA - 100% 100,000 Euros Governmental funds Realization horizon Short term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) Tulcea County Council Priority of 48 Medium priority Page 52 / 57

53 Measure Increase authorities monitoring capacity on the effects of transport and tourism on the environment, and improving response capacity to specific problems Objective: 4.2 Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on environment Gap: Low power of DDBR Authority in the decision making process concerning the development of the DDBR. The Biosphere s administration initiated and implemented projects in the field; and access and conduct rules were set. Recommendations: In order to increase the power of DDBRA it is necessary to develop instruments for monitoring the effects of transport and tourism on the natural area, to intensify the cooperation between stakeholders and to develop an interregional approach to these phenomena. and Financing options In order to improve authorities monitoring and response capacity it is necessary to: develop a guide for measuring the impact of tourism on Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve; to organize at least one training session on sustainable tourism; and increase collaboration with administration of other natural area administrations. This will lead to increased response capacity to environment challenges for authorities at local level (city councils, reserves, Environment Agencies, NGOs) - Number of trainings at least 1/year - Number of exchange visits at least 1/year 150,000 Euros Sectoral Operational Programme Environment Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local authorities Local authorities Priority of 45 Medium priority Page 53 / 57

54 Measure Promote innovative projects on transport and sustainable tourism concepts, ecological and recreational facilities financed by European funds interregional cooperation Objective: 4.2 Reducing the impact of tourism and transport on environment Gap: Low power of DDBR Authority in the decision making process concerning the development of the DDBR. The Biosphere s administration initiated and implemented projects in the field; and access and conduct rules were set. Recommendations: In order to increase the power of DDBRA it is necessary to develop instruments for monitoring the effects of transport and tourism on the natural area, to intensify the cooperation between stakeholders and to develop an interregional approach to these phenomena. and Financing options At regional level, there should be a permanent concern for developing and implementing innovative projects in the fields of sustainable transportation and tourism. By stimulating the interest to implement innovative projects, the share of innovative projects promoted should increase. This will lead to the interregional development of tourism and transport by increasing the number of innovative projects promoted - Number of innovative projects promoted ,000 Euros Cross-border Cooperation Programme /ERDF Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local authorities, South-East Regional Development Agency Priority of Local authorities, South-East Regional Development Agency 52 High priority Page 54 / 57

55 Measure Identifying and promoting the sustainable mobility financing opportunities Objective: 4.3 Promoting sustainable mobility financing opportunities through territorial cooperation programs in border area Gap: Missing financial opportunities for sustainable development of the region. Funds raised by Tulcea County through Regional Operational Program for reviving tourism positions the county 2nd in the top region, with an amount raised of 58.5 million Lei. Accessed funds for rehabilitation projects/expansion of the network of water/wastewater and sewage totalling million Lei, value Tulcea on the 3rd positions in the top region. To protect nature and biodiversity, the funds raised reached 94.3 million Lei, with this figure Tulcea occupying the first place in the national rankings. Recommendations: In order to achieve sustainable development, efforts should concentrate on increasing stakeholders interest to implement specific projects By better promoting financial support available for sustainable mobility, the number of submitted and implemented projects will increase. This will increase the absorption of EU funds by multiplying the number and of informed stakeholders and developing at least one information/awareness campaign - Number of projects submitted and implemented 1 - Number of awareness campaigns at least 1 at regional level and at least 1 at local level 70,000 Euros Financing options Structural funds, governmental funds Realization horizon Short term: within the lifetime of the Transdanube project (2014) Local authorities Local authorities Priority of 46 Medium priority Page 55 / 57

56 Measure Establishing strategic partnerships in order to develop cross border projects in the Danube Delta and Lower Prut River Region Objective: 4.3 Promoting sustainable mobility financing opportunities through territorial cooperation programs in border area Gap: Missing financial opportunities for sustainable development of the region. Funds raised by Tulcea County through Regional Operational Program for reviving tourism positions the county 2nd in the top region, with an amount raised of 58.5 million Lei. Accessed funds for rehabilitation projects/expansion of the network of water/wastewater and sewage totalling million Lei, value Tulcea on the 3rd positions in the top region. To protect nature and biodiversity, the funds raised reached 94.3 million Lei, with this figure Tulcea occupying the first place in the national rankings. Recommendations: In order to achieve sustainable development, efforts should concentrate on increasing stakeholders interest to implement specific projects and Financing options At least 1 project will be implemented in partnership for a sustainable, realistic and integrated development of the border area. Transport infrastructure in the border area will be improved - No of project partnerships implemented by the Inter-community Development Associations 1 2,000,000 Euros Cross-border cooperation Programme Realization horizon Mid-term: within three years after the end of the project ( ) Local authorities Priority of Local authorities 41 Medium priority Page 56 / 57

57 5 ANNEX 5.1 List of references Local Environmental Action Plan, Tulcea County, revised 2011 Conditions of access into Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, by Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority European Commission, Transports 2050, 2011 The Federation of Tour Operators, 2007, Travelife Handbook, Supplier Sustainability Handbook Government Decision on Danube Delta Strategy, Annex 1 Ministry of Transport, Strategy for a Intermodal Transport in Romania 2020 National Institute for Development and Research in Tourism, 2009, National Strategy for Developing Ecotourism in Romania, phase II Romania s National Strategy for Sustainable Development South-East Development Region Agency, 2010, Regional Master Plan for South-East Region World Commission on Protected Areas, 2002, Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas, Guidelines for Planning and Management re1.1/memoriu_final.pdf www://romania.panda.org/ Additional materials Danube Delta s map Source: Danube Delta: Romania and Ukraine Source: Page 57 / 57