A UNIQUE AREA
Between potential and challenge

Tulcea County, situated at the eastern border of the European Union, is distinguished by its territory — the Danube Delta, the youngest land of Europe, (belonging to UNESCO World Heritage) — also by some exceptional and contrasting natural and cultural attractions, for example the Macin Mountains National Park (of Hercynic origin), the Black Sea, antique cities, monasteries and mosques. The territory reunites a multi-ethnic mosaic, creating an area where traditions and values are interdependent. The Danube Delta is distinguished by its natural environment, the multitude of flora and fauna and its many fish species; also by its rich and varied gastronomy and hospitable people, who are ready to share the richness of the nature that surrounds them with everybody.

Examples of good practice
Within the past two years, Tulcea County Council has initiated programmes to relaunch tourism in the area of North Dobrogea. These programmes are defined by two main components: investments in infrastructure for the main tourist objectives and promotion of the area. The project ‘Danube Delta Ecotourism Centre’, developed by the Romania–Ukraine Neighborhood Programme, offered the city situated at the gate of the Danube Delta, Tulcea, the biggest and the most modern aquarium in Romania. Here, visitors can see varied species of fish (they can even swim among sturgeons) and can closely observe flora, fauna and birds in the Danube Delta’s natural environment.
 
The Danube Delta promotion project, Danube Delta in Europe, operated through the Romania–Ukraine Neighborhood Programme, was completed in 2009. The programme included a film presentation of the reserve, photo-documentary albums for the Danube Delta area and participation at tourism fairs in Romania and abroad. At present, Tulcea County Council implements other projects: the modernisation of access infrastructure for the Murighiol-Uzlina-Dunavat and Lacul Razim tourist area; and the tourist revaluation of the monasteries in Tulcea by improving the access and environment infrastructure (deadline 2012). Other projects include arranging small ports, such as the one in the Sfântu Gheorghe locality (deadline 2011), and the rehabilitation of Sulina beach.

Results
The programmes outlined were effective. Thus, in September 2009, the President of Tulcea County Council received the international trophy ‘Pomme D’Or’ for the promotion of the tourist destination Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The first prize was awarded to Romania in 1975 for the promotion of the Moldovita Monastery, situated in the north of the Moldova region. Out of the 41 trophies offered over a period of more than 30 years, Romania managed to win four distinctions, which places it in first position alongside Spain and Belgium. After receiving the trophy, Victor Tarhon declared “For Tulcea County Council, ‘Pomme D’Or’ represents the supreme acknowledgement of our efforts for the promotion of the Danube Delta, as well as an impulse for future activity.”

During the same year, in October 2009, the President of Tulcea County Council, Victor Tarhon, received the Prize for Excellency in Administration under the section ‘Prize for Excellency for activity carried out in county councils’.