FERM 2025 | Viorica MAMALIGA (Director, OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor”, Republic of Moldova): “Regional tourism development is achieved through practice, innovation, and strategic partnerships.”
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:
Viorica Mamaliga – Director, OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor”, Republic of Moldova
Presentation Topic:
“The Experience of GAL ‘Plaiul Codrilor’ in Piloting the Local DMO Concept”
During Panel 7 – Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region, Viorica Mămăligă, Director of OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor”, shared the experience of the Local Action Group in piloting the Destination Management Organization (DMO) concept in the Republic of Moldova.
Context and Initial Challenges
“In Romania, the concept of Local Action Groups is already implemented, with over 55 such groups in operation. In the Republic of Moldova, implementation began in 2018, and currently only two groups exist nationally: Plaiul Codrilor and Lunca Prutului de Jos, which are piloting the DMO concept.”
The DMO Director emphasized the fundamental difference between the approaches in the two countries.
“In Romania, legislation was established before practical actions, which sometimes limited adaptation to the real needs of communities. In the Republic of Moldova, we proceeded differently: we started with pilot project implementation to evaluate the structure’s efficiency and its impact on local communities.”
Local Development Strategy and Implemented Projects
Over five years, OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor” implemented more than 144 projects, with a total value of over 26 million lei in 22 localities across three main districts. Projects focused on infrastructure development, creation of quality public services, promotion of local culture and traditions, and enhancing the region’s tourism appeal.
“We focused on elements that differentiate us: adventure in nature, local culture and traditions, as well as hospitality and accommodation offerings specific to the area.”
To provide tourists with authentic experiences and extend their stay, the DMO organized workshops for baking traditional pies and breads, and implemented outdoor camping and tenting options.
In parallel, museum digitization and creation of tourist information centers became key tools for attracting youth and promoting cultural heritage.
“Children, holding their phones, become fascinated by video materials about our traditions and leave with added knowledge of culture and history.”
Building a Visual Identity and Developing the Digital Platform
OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor” developed a distinct visual identity applied to products and tourist materials to highlight the authenticity of offerings and the uniqueness of the region. Simultaneously, a digital platform was launched to promote the region, centralizing information on events, tourist attractions, accommodation options, and local products.
“It is essential that visitors know exactly where they are and what they can discover in the area. The platform allows us to centralize this information and make it accessible in real time.”
Partnerships and Interinstitutional Collaboration
A central pillar of OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor”’s strategy was developing strong partnerships with local and national institutions, including the National Tourism Office, the National Tourism Agency, and the Ministry of Culture. Collaborations also extended to the private sector and other relevant organizations such as Moldsilva, to promote cultural and ecological tourism.
“Cooperation is essential. Without effective partnerships, sustainable results cannot be achieved. Our goal is to support the beneficiaries of our projects, regardless of political orientation or administrative roles.”
Tourism Education and Local Capacity Building
OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor” organized training sessions for local entrepreneurs to help them develop skills needed for effective tourist interaction and maximizing the region’s potential.
“Our objective is not only to attract tourists but to turn them into ambassadors of the area, promoting local experiences and encouraging other visitors to return.”
Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives
Viorica Mămăligă highlighted the importance of practical implementation before legislative framework development.
“We started with implementation, tested the structure, and only afterward developed the legal framework. This approach allowed us to identify best practices and build an effective regional tourism strategy.”
Strategic objectives for the upcoming period include:
- Strengthening a functional regional DMO structure with clearly defined strategies and action plans;
- Expanding public-private partnerships for sustainable tourism development;
- Promoting authentic local attractions and products;
- Creating integrated tourist offerings designed to maximize the economic and cultural impact of the region.
Conclusions:
The experience of OMD GAL “Plaiul Codrilor” demonstrates that regional tourism development is effective when it combines collaboration among local and national actors, innovation in project implementation, and adaptation to the cultural and natural specificity of the region. The bottom-up approach, based on practical initiatives and strengthening local identity, enabled the transformation of the region into an attractive tourist destination with real potential for economic growth and sustainable development.
The success of the strategy relies on clear organizational structures, well-defined action plans, and functional public-private partnerships, essential elements for sustainable utilization of local resources and long-term impact in regional tourism.
