Several Moldovan wineries celebrate World Wine Tourism Day today

Chisinau, Nov 10 /MOLDPRES/- Moldovan wineries are celebrating today World Wine Tourism Day, marked for the recovery of the tourism industry jointly with the wine branch. The event became the European capital of wine tourism, hosting in October the General Assembly of ITER VITIS - Les Chemins de la vigne - European oenoturistic route integrating the landscapes and wine heritage of member countries, supported by the European Federation ITER VITIS and certified according to the standards of the Council of Europe since 2009.

According to Andrei Chistol, state secretary of the Culture Ministry, hosting the General Assembly of ITER VITIS in Moldova, an event of major importance, is a source of pride and represents the sum of efforts made, activities undertaken and commitments undertaken to promote wine culture and tourism. "Attracting such events contributes significantly to increasing the visibility and interest in Moldova among ITER VITIS member countries, and this success also highlights our potential for European integration and our desire to align with international standards. Partnership and collaboration with international organizations remain essential for the development and promotion of our cultural values", says Andrei Chistol.

ANTRIM, as a member association of ITER VITIS, supports wine tourism and the positioning of the Republic of Moldova among established wine countries. Thus, the Moldovan Wine Route has become the first tourist itinerary in the country to be certified as a cultural-European route by the Council of Europe, and the distinction is a confirmation of the efforts to promote cultural and sustainable tourism. These successes would not have been possible without the support of the USAID, which over the past decade has supported the transformation and reinvigoration of Moldova's tourism industry.

The National Association for Inbound Tourism in Moldova (ANTRIM) has benefited from the expertise, resources and funding that have been essential to the creation of development programs that have helped improve tourism infrastructure, increase the quality of services and have also brought significant economic benefits to local communities.

In 10 years of activity, the ANTRIM has implemented and promoted best practices in the wine tourism. The focus was also on innovation and promoting sustainability and the fabulous gastronomic offer preserved and handed down from generation to generation, according to the organization.

Since 2020, the Moldovan Wine Road Route has become part of the ITER VITIS network, offering authentic wine experiences and enotourism itineraries that encourage tourists to discover the precious elements of the ancient European wine culture, as well as reinvigorating wine traditions, supported by a new generation of winemakers.

For the first time, the Republic of Moldova celebrated World Wine Tourism Day in November 2021.