Cristian Macedonschi: As a co-organizer, I am equally proud and happy about my contribution to the success of the event to promote Romanian tourism in Austria. The round table discussions on the MDGs and Romanian spa tourism were a real success and a valuable exchange of experiences for the representatives who came from Romania.

On this occasion, we also presented the new magazine Holiday-in-Romania, which encourages readers to visit Romania’s fabulous places, from nature to culture, relaxation and revitalization. Romania is a European paradise just waiting to be discovered. From the Carpathian Mountains, which form the belt of Transylvania, to the Danube Delta, the unique water and bird paradise.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the success of this event, especially Mrs. Andras Andrea, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy, together with her exceptional team, the members of FIHR – Federation of the Romanian Hotel Industry, OPTBR, RoBoost-, and the network of the German-speaking hospitality industry from Romania. Special thanks also go to the main sponsor of the event – Eastern European Experience – as well as to the Lacerta Winery for the delicious wines and to Visit Harghita for the tasty local specialties, from Harghita, the European Gastronomy Region of the Year 2027.

PRESS RELEASE OF THE ROMANIAN EMBASSY IN VIENNA

Tourism Day at the Romanian Embassy in Vienna

On April 10, the Romanian Embassy in Vienna hosted a special event to promote Romanian tourism, focusing on the exchange of best practices in the field of sustainable tourism management, as well as the promotion of authentic destinations and the special spa and balneological potential of our country.

The Tourism Day, which was held under the motto “Invitation to Romania: Discovering, exploring, discovering new tourist destinations – high potential for cooperation and business with sustainable perspectives”, was organized in cooperation with the Network of German-speaking Hospitality Industry from Romania and consisted of two round tables for Romanian and Austrian tourism specialists, followed by a presentation for the journalists present and a networking event where stands were organized to present the Romanian tourism offer.

The guests had the opportunity to learn more about the tourist attractions and natural beauties of our country, the rich cultural heritage and the Romanian hospitality. Elements that make Romania an increasingly attractive destination for Austrian and international tourists. At the event, special tourist places were presented in the counties of Arges, Brasov, Covasna, Harghita, Iasi, Mures, Bihor, Sibiu, Timis, as well as in the most famous spa and bathing resorts in Romania: Baile Herculane, Sovata, Covasna, Baile Felix, Eforie Nord, Techirghiol, Baile Govora, Lacul Sărat, Borsec, known for the therapeutic properties of their mineral water and sapropelic mud. Many of the presented tourist destinations are winners in the categories of the “Destination of the Year 2025” competition, which has just taken place on April 8.

The aim of the roundtables was to exchange experiences and share expertise on tourism destination management, as well as to identify common opportunities in terms of the potential of the spa tourism offer in Romania.

The speakers included Florian Van der Bellen, PKF Österreicher & Partner, Christoph Madl, former Director General of the Lower Austrian Tourism Promotion Agency (NÖ), Manfred Katzenschlager, Head of the Tourism Department of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Adrian Gasser, Head of the International Relations in Tourism Department at the Federal Ministry of Economy, Ulrike Rauch-Keschmann, Head of the Tourism Section at the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, Kurt Kaufmann, General Director of ÖHKV, Andreas Bardeau, Honorary Consul of Romania in Styria, Alin Chipăilă, President of the Alliance for Tourism in Romania, Mik Jozsef, President of the National Association of Spas and Health Resorts in Romania, Iuliana Tasie, Vice President of the Romanian Employers’ Association for Spa Tourism OPTBR, Gabriel Prada, Medical Director of the National Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology “Ana Aslan” National Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Representatives of the spas Ana Hotels Europa Eforie Nord, Ensana Ensana Health Spa Hotel Sovata, Bacolux Afrodita, Herculane Bacolux Hotel Băile Herculane and Bacolux Hotel Covasna, Băile Govora Băile Govora SA, Alma Health & Spa Retreat Alma Spa Retreat Lacul Sărat, Turism Felix Turism Felix SA were also present.

Prominent guests from Austrian business, institutions and politics, such as Members of Parliament Andreas Minnich, Heinrich Himmer and Barbara Neßler, President-designate of the Austria-Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group David Stögmüller, Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Committee Gabriel Obernosterer Deputy Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Ramona Miletic, Deputy Mayor of the 10th Municipal District of Vienna, and the diplomats accredited in Vienna had the opportunity to share their Romanian culinary experiences by participating in the “Harghita European Gastronomic Region 2027” Hargita Megye. Vienna Municipality, and the diplomats accredited in Vienna had the opportunity to enrich their Romanian culinary experience by participating in the “Harghita European Gastronomic Region 2027” Hargita Megye Tanácsa. Professionals from the Romanian tourism industry informed the guests about tourist routes that offer visitors a comprehensive experience combining relaxation, treatment and adventure.

Cristian Macedonschi, co-organizer of the Tourism Day at the Romanian Embassy in Vienna, presented the new edition of Urlaub-in-Rumänien magazine and represented the RoBoost initiative as a partner, while Simion Giurcă from OMD Timișoara presented the diverse tourist offer of the former European Capital of Culture. The Austrian ambassador in Bucharest, Ulla Krauss-Nussbaumer, who was present at the event, expressed her interest in ensuring the continuity of the networking event in Bucharest.

The Embassy would like to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Romania and Austria, expand partnerships and deepen mutual trust so that the Viennese public can discover Romania’s natural treasures and charming traditions. A.i. Chargé d’Affaires Andrea Amza-András emphasized in his opening speech that the event is not only a framework to celebrate Romania as a destination, but also to show what becomes possible when people work together, get involved and build something together. “Our aim is to make Romania more visible in Austria, strengthen partnerships and deepen mutual trust.”

Find out more about the brochure “Holidays in Romania 2025” and trade fairs, events…

Text & pictures: Cristian Macedonschi | Rumänische Botschaft Wien