Jurilovca officially opened the tourist season in the Danube Delta this month with sports competitions and recreational kayak tours in the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complex. The offer from private accommodation units was complemented by the one from the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Administration (ARBDD), which includes modern payment options for access fees and various activities.

The kayak tours from the past weekend were the first public ones this year. Around 10 people from Brasov, Constanta and Iasi participated in the first tour, held on March 8, paddling for almost four hours, covering about 11 kilometres.

'It was superb. I've never had this kind of experience before. It's totally different because you can get closer to nature and see the landscapes, birds, the environment, and I find it fascinating. As a first experience, it was perfect in terms of effort. Plus, it was a different March 8 gift, and I'm glad I accepted it,' Ana Roman from Brasov told AGERPRES.

Her husband, Alexandru Roman, said that the kayak tour is a unique way to relax, but also an opportunity to make new friends.

'I thought I'd do something different and go for this relaxation activity, considering our daily life. Plus, it's something new. It encourages movement, sports, relaxation, friendships and new relationships,' said Alexandru Roman.

Some participants brought their own kayaks.

'I've been with an inflatable kayak before, but on the sea. This was my first time in a rigid kayak. It was very nice, a unique experience. I liked the nature and the fact that we got out of the city. I liked the rigid plastic kayak more than the inflatable one. It's easier to control but less comfortable. I'd try another tour in the Delta,' said Lica Marius Alexandru from Iasi.

At the end of the trip, some kayakers also gave recommendations.

'The tour was very beautiful. I recommend you bring water, a snack and also a little bag in your pocket so you don't throw anything in the water,' said Raluca Manea from Constanta.

The tourist season began in Jurilovca a week earlier, when the 'Vasile Diba' sports hall hosted the March 1 Table Tennis Cup, with about 100 participants from the country and the Republic of Moldova.

'I've been playing table tennis since 1992, and this is my fourth time in Jurilovca. I have friends here and we get along very well. My wife and I are pensioners, and we don't stay at home. We don't have chickens or pigs, so we travel around, make friends. In this life, you might not have a lot of money, but having many friends is priceless,' advised Alexandru Krasnaciuk from the Republic of Moldova.

The beautiful weather encouraged tourism in the area.

'This year, we had a mild winter, and things have been moving atrf weekends. Guests come from Braila, Galati, Bucharest, Constanta. They tour around, admire the fortresses and some stop to eat,' said Lucian Fusaru, who manages a guesthouse in the village.

The warm winter was welcomed, considering that the specific climate of the Delta, which includes national weather records for parametres like the lowest cloud cover, highest sunshine duration, highest temperatures in Romania, lowest annual rainfall and the highest maximum rainfall in 24 hours, as well as the longest dry spells, challenges guesthouse owners in the reserve.

'Last year, there were moments when, in August, it rained for a week, and we wondered what other activities we could offer the guests so that they could enjoy their vacation. At the same time, we had many hot periods during the off-season, which was an advantage. For guests who come in the off-season, when the days are beautiful, we go kayaking, cycling, visit traditional houses, ancient fortresses, and also take boat trips,' said Marius Potolea, the manager of a guesthouse in Jurilovca.

His guesthouse had 15% more tourists last year than the previous year. Data from ARBDD shows that in 2024, there were over 127,300 visitors to the reserve, of whom 9,478 were foreigners. The growth compared to the previous year was just about two percent and may seem insignificant, but it may prove that quality services and offers 'beat' the war in Ukraine.

'Photography permits, filming permits, overnight permits, a new feature for 2025, can be accessed online on the reserve's website and, for a fee, can be downloaded by visitors to the Delta,' said ARBDD Governor Bogdan Bulete.

The calendar of public events organised in the county to attract tourists includes, at the end of next month, the 'Mckerel Festival' in Maliuc and the 'Atlantic Mackerel Festival' in Sulina, with the latter city also hosting the Pirates Festival from May 15-18.

Additionally, in April-May, free city tours will begin in Tulcea, during which visitors will be able to visit heritage sites with lesser-known histories.

May will kick off with the C.A. Rosetti Commune Day and the regional festival 'Unity in European Diversity' in Tulcea.

In principle, however, May will be dedicated to sports competitions, and the event organised by the Tulcea City Hall, Aegyssus Sport Fest, which involves a week of contests, will also include national stages for various competitions or even national championships for some age categories. Aegyssus Sport Fest will end with the first edition of the Ivan Patzaichin International Rowing Marathon (May 23-25), a training session for those who want to participate in the Danube Delta Tour, which covers approximately 150 kilometres through the Delta at a leisurely pace, over three days by bike (on the Tulcea-Periprava-Sulina route) and three days by kayak around Sulina.

In the 'Destination of the Year 2025' competition, organised on the online platform of the same name, the Danube Delta qualified for the final in the 'Enchanted Lands' category, following an initiative by representatives of the Tulcea Municipality Destination Management Organisation last autumn. The public is invited to vote on the mentioned platform until May 25.

In the 'Fairy Tale Villages' category, the Danube Delta is represented in the same competition by the village of Mila 23. The winners will be announced in the first part of next month. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Luisiana Bigea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)