FERM 2025 | Dorina ONICI (Director, „La Tudora” Guesthouse, Ștefan Vodă, Republic of Moldova): „Green tourism not only benefits visitors but also develops the community, preserves traditions, and creates lasting value.”
100 economic opportunities for the development of the Moldova Region on the A7 Highway route
REGIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM MOLDOVA 2025
19th Edition – Vatra Dornei, July 9–13, 2025
Thematic Panel:
Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region
Speaker:
Dorina Onici – Director, „La Tudora” Guesthouse, Ștefan Vodă District, Republic of Moldova
Presentation Theme:
„Promoting Green and Sustainable Tourism in the Lower Dniester Region”
As part of Panel 7 – Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region, Dorina Onici, Director of „La Tudora” Guesthouse in Ștefan Vodă District, Republic of Moldova, highlighted the role of green and sustainable tourism in developing the Lower Dniester region.
From Crises to Opportunities: The Story of „La Tudora” Guesthouse
Dorina Onici recalled her entrepreneurial journey, marked by challenges but transformed into success stories.
„The ‘La Tudora’ Guesthouse was born in the midst of the health crisis. We wanted to offer people, after the difficult pandemic period, a place of refuge on the banks of the Dniester, where they could rediscover peace and the joy of spending time in nature. Later, during the war, we opened our doors to refugees and volunteers who brought aid. This is how we became known internationally, hosting guests from Australia, Poland, the Netherlands, France, and many other countries.”
A new chapter in this evolution was the transformation of a risky situation into an opportunity for innovation: the construction of the first “Hemp House” in the Republic of Moldova. This became not only a symbol of adaptive entrepreneurial spirit but also a concrete example of ecological innovation and the smart use of local resources.
The Lower Dniester Region – A Living Laboratory of Biodiversity
Dorina Onici emphasized the strategic and unique role of the area where her guesthouse is located.
„‘La Tudora’ Guesthouse is located in the Lower Dniester National Park, part of the Lower Dniester Ramsar Site, internationally recognized since 2003, with a protected area of over 60,000 hectares. This region is home to a remarkable diversity of more than 160 species of birds, numerous species of fish and amphibians, as well as valuable ecosystems – natural lakes, reed beds, and floodplain forests. All these make the Lower Dniester a true ‘living laboratory’ of the Republic of Moldova.”
She stressed that authentic ecological tourism requires a holistic approach
„The landscape of the Lower Dniester cannot be seen only through its natural components. Culture, traditions, and local communities are an integral part of this identity and give meaning to the tourist experience.”
Local Gastronomy – Between Cultural Identity and Tourist Appeal
A central point of Dorina Onici’s presentation was the promotion of gastronomic tourism, a defining element in the offer of „La Tudora” Guesthouse and, at the same time, a strategic resource for the region’s development.
„Local gastronomy represents for visitors a complex and authentic discovery. Recipes passed down from generation to generation offer not only flavor but also a living connection to the identity of the place. Today, certain traditional dishes have obtained the STG certification – guaranteed traditional specialty – which gives them national protection status and an added tourist appeal.”
She also highlighted the importance of cultural and gastronomic events organized in the region, mentioning festivals that have already become traditional landmarks: “Let’s Go for Peaches!”, “Dance of the Dniester Hearths,” and “In the Meadow of Longing”. These contribute not only to diversifying the tourist offer but also to strengthening community identity and promoting the area as an integrated destination for sustainable tourism.
Authentic Experiences and Memorable Emotions
The tourist offer of „La Tudora” Guesthouse is based on authentic and personalized experiences, designed to showcase the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Visitors can take part in hikes in protected areas, cycling routes, or traditional boat rides on the Dniester waters. At the same time, the guesthouse organizes gastronomy, pottery, and flower wreath workshops, eco-friendly picnics, and tasting sessions of local products – all designed to provide direct contact with the area’s identity.
Dorina Onici stressed the emotional dimension of the tourist experience, considering it a decisive factor in visitor loyalty.
„A tourist does not return just for a comfortable bed or a tasty meal. They come back for the emotions they experienced. Emotions define the place, give it identity, and transform it into an unforgettable destination.”
Themed Houses – Stories Transformed into Destinations
A distinctive element of „La Tudora” Guesthouse is its themed houses, each designed to tell a story and offer visitors a unique experience.
- The Fairy Tale House – the first to be built, during the pandemic, impresses with traditional architectural details and handmade fabrics woven by Dorina Onici herself, as a symbol of rebirth through craftsmanship and creativity.
- The Water Lily House – a space for relaxation and contemplation, located in a natural setting, surrounded by flowers and small ponds with water lilies, evoking peace and balance with nature.
- The Hemp House – the first construction of this type in the Republic of Moldova, represents an example of ecological innovation and sustainability, harnessing the potential of industrial hemp as an environmentally friendly material.
Through these themed spaces, the guesthouse succeeds in combining cultural authenticity with ecological innovation, transforming each accommodation unit into a destination in itself.
Conclusion: Green Tourism as a Catalyst for Regional Development
Dorina Onici’s presentation demonstrated that green and sustainable tourism can become a strategic driver for the development of the Lower Dniester region. By capitalizing on natural heritage, integrating cultural traditions, and promoting local gastronomy, this area has the potential to become a benchmark destination for the Republic of Moldova.
The model implemented at „La Tudora” Guesthouse shows that success is based not only on natural resources but also on the community’s ability to collaborate, generate innovation, and create authentic experiences for visitors. Thus, sustainable tourism becomes not just an economic activity, but also a tool for social cohesion, for reviving traditional crafts, and for promoting local identity on the international stage.
