British journalist and film producer Charley Ottley still believes in the chance of 'Oltenia de sub Munte' region to become a UNESCO geopark, even if some mayors in the area have opposed this project initiated by the Kogayon Association.

The British journalist has taken on the role of ambassador of the area and promotes it as a tourist destination both through the documentary series 'Flavours of Romania' and by participating in various meetings with local people interested in developing tourism in the region.

Charley Ottley, who was in Baile Govora these days attending a tourism forum in the Oltenia region, organized by the promoters of the 'Oltenia de sub Munte' region, told AGERPRES that Oltenia is, in a way, a destination similar to Transylvania. He called it the Transylvania of the south, naming the many points of interest that can be found there, to the south of the Carpathians, the culture, Brancusi, a lot of history, all these manors and monasteries, Dacian settlements and forts. He did not forget the many stories and legends about the outlaws hiding in the mountains, the waterfalls and wonderful landscapes, the very high biodiversity. 'It's all here, but we need to start protecting and promoting them', said the British journalist.

He further emphasized the need for the local public authorities to take measures to protect the region's natural and cultural heritage, given the plans to develop a tourist resort at Varful lui Roman, which belongs to the town of Horezu, similar to the one at Ranca.

Charley Ottley voiced his belief that Ranca is not a good example of tourist development, having become a desolating image for those who transit the Transalpina and he further wondered why anyone would want another area like that. He argued that the focus should be on the existing architecture, on restoring the old buildings and trying to valorise the people in these communities. They should be helped to improve their services and attract more tourists to the area, who don't just come to see the monasteries, the old houses or buy pottery by the side of the road and then go elsewhere. According to the British journalist, tourists want to stay and have somewhere to eat, in old places, restored manors. He argued that there are so many manors in Oltenia that are collapsing, and people do not seem interested in these old houses, but they want new, monstrous constructions in virgin areas, instead of focusing on the existing heritage. Cultural tourism is the way to make money, cultural tourism is the future for areas like Horezu and Costesti, as is nature tourism, he went on to say. Worried that buildings fall down and nature is vandalized by new, monstrous buildings being built, Ottley insists that things must be done differently for the good of these communities, this also being the reason why he accepted to be the ambassador of 'Oltenia de sub munte', because an international geopark brings money into people's pockets, helps villagers to open hostels, local gastronomic spots, organize hiking, horse riding, mountain biking and everything else that can be obtained from this nature and adventure tourism. A private investment on top of a mountain, besides destroying nature, only brings money into the pockets of those directly involved, said Ottley, displeased with the mayors who, last autumn, went to the meeting with UNESCO representatives and opposed the establishment of the geopark.

However, the British journalist still believes in the chance that this region, which covers an area of about 600 square kilometers on the territory of six localities in Valcea county (Vaideeni, Horezu, Costesti, Barbatesti, Stoenesti and Baile Olanesti), to become part of the international network of UNESCO geoparks, and those who have made steps in this direction are equally optimistic.

'The geopark is moving forward as an aspiring UNESCO geopark project. Last year's evaluation showed, to our joy, that we are doing well on absolutely all criteria, except for the support of local public authorities. We will continue our work until they are ready to join us and reapply. The paperwork is done, and we are basically just resubmitting the proposal, namely the administrative process of applying to become a geopark is restarted. So the moment all the planets align, the missing planet being the local public administration, things are a formality that will be resolved quickly. Much more important than getting UNESCO geopark status is what we do to get there, because to become a UNESCO geopark we have to learn to work together, we have to develop the infrastructure, we have to promote ourselves properly, we have to take care of our heritage, we have to educate, we have to do research and we have to valorize our territory as it deserves,' added the president of the Kogayon Association, Florin Stoican.

The first regional edition of the Oltenia Travel Forum, which is taking place these days in the resort of Baile Govora, will be attended by about 60 people from all five counties of Oltenia (Dolj, Olt, Mehedinti, Gorj and Valcea), from the owners of guesthouses and hotels to tourism agencies and authorities involved in the field, who are discussing on the existing solutions for the development of tourism in the region. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Ramona Dinca; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)