Romania is attending the Chisinau International Tourism Fair 'Tourism&Travel Expo', from 30 January to 1 February, informs the Ministry of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (MEDAT), in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

'Romania has participated in 28 of the 29 editions so far of this tourism fair. This continuity reflects the strategic importance of the market in the Republic of Moldova and the sustained interest in promoting Romania as a nearby tourist destination, with diversified and accessible offers. Our presence in Chisinau provides a relevant framework where we can show Romania's tourist offer, with an emphasis on the spa, religious-cultural and mountain tourism. The previous editions confirmed the interest of the Moldovan public in such types of tourist products, with Romania's stand being among the most visited, as an expression of our strengthened tourism relations,' reads the abovementioned press release.

At Romania's stand, gastronomic presentation activities and tasting sessions are scheduled, organised with the support of the Destination Management Organisation 'Tara Dornelor', and aimed at offering the public a direct experience of local traditions and specific characteristics.

'The tourist flow between the Republic of Moldova and Romania remains at a high level, supported by geographical proximity and a shared language, history and traditions. Statistical data indicate a steady increase in the number of arrivals from the Republic of Moldova, even under conditions in which a significant proportion of Moldovan citizens also hold Romanian citizenship, a factor that makes an exact quantification of this flow difficult. Bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism is based on the formal framework established through the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the Government of the Republic of Moldova on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism, signed in Bucharest on 22 November, 2018, as well as through the cooperation protocol between Romania's Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova for the establishment of the Joint Working Group of Tourism Experts, signed on 6 April, 2023,' the relevant ministry said.

The two countries are developing projects aimed at capitalising on their shared cultural and identity heritage through the creation of cross-border tourist routes, such as the Route of Voivode Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great), in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the Route of Wooden Churches in the two countries, the Route of Craftspeople and Traditional Crafts, and the Cross-Border Gastronomic Route.

'Together, our countries have inscribed five elements on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List: the cobza - the most recent achievement, in 2025 - Martisor, men's group carol singing, traditional techniques of carpet weaving, and the art of the blouse with embroidery (ia). This initiative contributes to strengthening an integrated perspective on destinations on both sides of the River Prut. Moreover, as a living expression of our shared cultural heritage, Romania's stand will feature a cobza player from Gorj County, who will perform a series of artistic moments. Going forward, relations between the two countries are developing along two main lines: the affirmation of the special nature of the bilateral relationship and the European dimension of cooperation, grounded in the strategic objective of the Republic of Moldova's integration into the European Union,' MEDAT stated.

The event in Chisinau, supported by the Ministry of Culture and the National Tourism Office of the Republic of Moldova, is the country's only specialised exhibition platform and brings together key players in the tourism industry, including travel agencies, airlines, public authorities, accommodation providers, spa centres and transport operators. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Badea; EN - writing by: Cristina Zaharia)