Brasov's Stakeholders collaborate to tackle Overtourism
In a concerted effort to address the growing concerns of overtourism, a diverse group of local stakeholders convened at the end of August for the inaugural meeting of the Tourism in Balance project in Brasov.
Led by Alina Nicoară, the meeting's moderator and project manager from the Brasov Metropolitan Agency, the participants delved into the multifaceted challenges posed by the increasing number of tourists in the region. Nicoară provided a comprehensive overview of the meeting's purpose and outlined the agenda, shedding light on the overarching goals of the Tourism in Balance project.
Andrei Blumer, president of the Brasov Destination Management Organization (OMD), took the floor to present the Tourism Concept of the historic center and introduced the HUB-IN project - which aims "to promote and realise urban transformation and regeneration of historic urban areas with innovation and entrepreneurship as the main catalysts". The presentation aimed to set the stage for a collaborative discussion among the stakeholders.
The heart of the meeting revolved around a dynamic conversation initiated by representatives from public institutions specialising in tourism. They collectively tackled the identification of key challenges, needs, and potential solutions to address the issue of tourist congestion in specific areas of the city, emphasizing the importance of managing the spatial and temporal spread of visitors.
Following the discussion, local stakeholders took the crucial step of outlining the initial measures that could be presented to the local administration. These measures, born out of the collaborative effort, are geared towards finding sustainable solutions to overtourism in Brasov.
Looking ahead, the group of tourism stakeholders is poised to expand its reach, with plans to actively involve citizens and businesses in the ongoing dialogue. By fostering a collaborative approach, the aim is to develop and implement strategies that strike a balance between preserving the city's cultural heritage and ensuring a positive experience for both locals and tourists.
As Brasov takes proactive steps to address the challenges posed by overtourism, the Tourism in Balance project stands as a promising initiative that harnesses the collective wisdom of local stakeholders for the long-term benefit of the city and its residents.