Journalists from six radio and TV stations in the country have been on a work-related visit to several tourism objectives in Northern Region of Moldova, where North Regional Development Agency (North RDA) projects are currently being implemented. Journalists have discussed with various managers, but also with local citizens benefiting from their achievements.
In Glodeni rayon, the group of journalists from radio and TV stations Moldova 1, Canal Regional (TV Prim and TV Drochia), Aici TV/Elita TV, Radio Moldova and Radio Chișinău, have visited the ‘La Fontal’ and ‘Zimbrărie’ tourist spots covered by the ‘Pădurea Domnească EcoTourism Route Planning in Glodeni rayon’ project. The project aimed at the ‘La Fontal’ rest area, finished in October last year, provided for the construction of three two-level holiday homes with multiple amenities for up to eight people each, including covered terraces and barbecue areas, as well as four pavilions, two parking lots, a fountain for safe drinking water, bathrooms, engineering constructions, electrical, water and sanitation networks, etc. The cost for renting one holiday home is of approx. 1,000 MDL per night. The overall cost of the project’s implementation was 5 million 572 thousand MDL. Its main attraction, ‘La Fontal’, is located on an area of over 24 hectares of forest, containing the lake with the same name, as well as rare springs with high levels of mineralization.
Project Manager, Aureliu Bodean stressed the following points: ‘Through this project we aim at developing touristic, cultural and leisure activities, while also creating jobs, increasing alternative income sources and diversifying activities in rural areas. We want to attract as many tourists as possible. For this purpose, the tourist route includes attractions such as ‘Suta de movile / The Hundred Knolls’ (Branişte vlg. – Ed.), “Țara Bâtlanilor / Country of Herons” (Balatina vlg. – Ed.), “Șirul de toltre și Stânca mare / The Toltres Ridge and the Great Cliff’ (Cobani vlg. – Ed.).
‘Zimbrărie‘ tourism objective, completed in November 2013, provided for the construction of a tourists’ panel and information point, together with a viewing platform located at a certain height to allow overlooking the forest with its flora and fauna – including the six aurochs, four of which are on the loose in a fenced area of several hectares.
Tatiana Babin, resident of Moara Domnească vlg., which is located around the tourist area, seriously considers taking advantage of the prospects opened by the development of this tourist region. In her own words: ‘For the tourists visiting these places, we want to first open a small store, followed by a cafeteria where they could have a soup or other dishes’.
In Dondușeni rayon, journalists visited the ‘Țaul Park’ – founded over a century ago by a French banker Andrei Pommer in the settlement of the same name. The project on ‘Rehabilitation of the ‘Pommer Mansion’ historical-architectural monument and the access road to the arboretum in Țaul vlg., Dondușeni rayon’ has provided for the repairing of a fence of about 3.5 km in length (made of metal, mesh, and stone), of which approx. 400 meters required the replacement of bricks used for the original model, as well as the repairing of the administrative building that was used both as a school and as a local government office in the past, and which currently houses the Village Hall, for which over 9.6 million MDL were spent. Meanwhile, over 12 million MDL were allocated for renovating the ‘Pommer Mansion’.
According to Țaul Mayor, Andronie Mitrică: ‘Both the fence and the building of the former school were entirely recreated as they were once designed by the nobleman: from colour to size, and even the distance between bricks – absolutely everything was considered, using the same original materials. Next up is the restoration of the Pommer Mansion, which is currently in very bad condition. We hope that the restoration of this pearl of our village – and of the entire Republic of Moldova – will start by June’.
The Mayor’s office also plans to pave sidewalks and to construct two mini-hotels in the buildings located within the park’s territory.
Maria Culic, Țaul Agricultural College Manciple, added: ‘I live here since 1977, and have noticed this pearl of nature since the very beginning. My heart was torn from seeing it being destroyed. Now, perhaps with the help of the villagers as well, we have faith that we will bring it back to what it once was. I have many memories from times past. I had my first date with a boy here, and now at 67 years, I still walk every day in the park to breathe fresh air, and it actually makes me feel much younger’.
Last week, journalists have visited several localities in Nisporeni and Ungheni rayons. On Thursday, 30 April 2015, they will also visit several localities in Southern region of Moldova covered by regional development projects. Informational materials on these visits shall be broadcasted by the aforementioned media institutions during the months of April and May 2015.
The visits took place within the project ‘Increasing the visibility of regional development programmes in audiovisual media’ funded by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ and based on a partnership and collaboration agreement signed between API (the Independent Press Association) and the Ministry of Regional Development and Construction
