FERM 2025 | Ana Maria ARDELEANU (Grădinile Romane Guesthouse – Lake Bicaz, Neamț): “Tourists don’t come for accommodation or food. They come for memories”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, 9–13 July 2025
Thematic Panel:
Tourism and the Development of Destinations in the Moldova Region
Speaker:
Ana Maria Ardeleanu – Manager, Owner of “Grădinile Romane” Guesthouse, Bicaz, Neamț
Topic of intervention:
“An Integrated Relaxing Tourism Experience in the Mountain Landscape”
Within Panel 7 – Tourism of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM) 2025, Ana Maria Ardeleanu, founder of the Grădinile Romane complex on the shore of Lake Bicaz, presented her vision of tourism in Neamț County and the Moldova region. With a warm yet firm speech, she advocated for unity and a common strategy among tourism stakeholders, local administrations, and the private sector.
A Different Concept: Slow Travel and Total Relaxation
Ana Maria Ardeleanu explained that her tourism project is built around the idea of slow travel – an invitation to deep relaxation, disconnection, and living in the moment.
“I created a place where, if you stay three days, you end up relaxing to the point of forgetting yourself.”
Located in Chirițeni village, Hangu commune, the complex takes advantage of the spectacular views of Lake Bicaz and combines hospitality, quality services, and attention to detail.
“Guests are amazed by the beauty of the place and the potential of the area. But alone, we cannot achieve anything great.”
Public–Private Collaboration for a Coherent Tourism Product
A key point of her speech was the need for collaboration. Ana Maria Ardeleanu emphasized that, to develop long-term tourism, a common strategy among guesthouses, restaurants, local producers, authorities, and investors is essential.
“They don’t come for accommodation, they don’t come for food, they don’t come for drinks. They come for memories. And memories for two days we can create in our courtyard, but if we want week-long stays, we must join forces.”
She also highlighted the lack of infrastructure, noting that 99% of negative reviews are related to the 700 meters of unpaved country road leading to the complex.
“I drive 50–60,000 km a year and I feel firsthand how important infrastructure is.”
A 100% Private Investment, Built with Patience and Courage
Answering a question from the audience, Ana Maria Ardeleanu revealed that Grădinile Romane was realized entirely from private funds, without loans or external financing. The project was developed over 12 years, using personal resources and support from her parents.
“I risked everything on a single venture. We worked slowly, without going into debt. When we didn’t have money, we waited. Where others saw a problem, we saw an opportunity,” she said, recalling how during the pandemic, she transformed the 7,000 sqm garden into an open-air serving space while easily maintaining social distancing.
On Quality and Pet Policy
When asked by the audience if pets are allowed, Ardeleanu explained that although she loves animals, currently they are not permitted in rooms, due to protection of furniture and high-quality interior amenities.
“This is not a final decision. We plan to build a small hotel for pets, so that they can come with their owners too.”
Final Message: Cohesion and Common Vision
In conclusion, Ana Maria Ardeleanu reaffirmed that Moldova has a “virgin” tourism potential, which can be transformed into an international success story only through collaboration and strategic planning.
“There should be no competition among us, only cohesion. Everyone has valuable ideas, and if we put them together, we can reach the maximum potential of the region,” she told the FERM 2025 participants.
Conclusion
The speech by Ana Maria Ardeleanu, delivered at Panel 7 – Tourism at FERM 2025, went beyond the simple presentation of a successful project, becoming a manifesto for collaboration and joint strategy in the development of Moldovan tourism. Through the example of Grădinile Romane, a complex created with 100% private investment, built with patience and determination on the shore of Lake Bicaz, Ardeleanu demonstrated that passion, clear vision, and perseverance can generate authentic and memorable tourist experiences.
However, she firmly emphasized that such initiatives, no matter how well-conceived, cannot reach their full potential without adequate infrastructure and cohesion among stakeholders. In her opinion, the success of tourism in Moldova depends on unity between the public and private sectors, involving everyone – from authorities and investors to local operators and communities – in a coherent, sustainable common strategy.
