Viorel MIRON, DMO “Nistru Riviera”, at FERM 2025: “We are transforming the heritage of the Nistru Riviera into the most attractive tourist destination in the Moldova Region.”
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:
Viorel Miron – DMO “Nistru Riviera”
Presentation topic:
“Developing sustainable tourism in the Moldova Region by leveraging the heritage of the Nistru Riviera and promoting an authentic tourist destination.”
At this year’s edition of the Regional Economic Forum Moldova (FERM), one of the highlights was the intervention of Viorel Miron, representative of the Destination Management Organization (DMO) “Nistru Riviera” from the Republic of Moldova, within Panel 7 – Tourism and Destination Development in the Moldova Region. The discussions focused on a theme of growing importance for the region: tourism and the sustainable development of local destinations.
Nistru Riviera – a recently started success story
Viorel Miron began by thanking the organizers for the opportunity to discuss tourism “in Moldova, with all of Moldova,” an innovative and necessary approach for consolidating a strong tourism brand. The DMO “Nistru Riviera” was established a year ago with the clear purpose of unlocking the enormous potential of the Nistru River area in the Republic of Moldova.
“We learned from the best and came to show concrete results,” emphasized Miron, referring to visits and exchanges of best practices conducted last year in the Vatra Dornei area, which served as a model for organizing and developing the destination.
Natural and cultural heritage – the heart of the Nistru Riviera
The Nistru Riviera area impresses with a cultural and natural heritage concentrated along the riverbanks. Viorel Miron highlighted several key landmarks:
- Historic fortresses, such as Soroca and Tighina, attracting over one million visitors annually;
- Rock-hewn monasteries and medieval churches, offering an authentic perspective on the region’s history and spirituality;
- Spectacular natural landscapes, including protected reserves, wetlands, and about 100 picturesque beaches along the Nistru, some currently under development.
Miron emphasized that this area is the “blue tourism triangle” of the Republic of Moldova, along with Vadul lui Vodă and Lake Ghidighici, a truly authentic and valuable region.
Tourism cluster and expanding infrastructure
Another key point of his speech was the formation of a tourism cluster consisting of ten localities that joined forces to consolidate the tourism offer into a unified destination. Among the highlights of the area:
- Lake Dubăsari, the largest reservoir on the Nistru, nicknamed “The Sea of Moldova”;
- The first hydroelectric plant on the Nistru;
- Iacob Lake Reserve, Struguraș spa resort, and the “Buchet Moldaviei” winery;
- Kvint vineyards, covering over 2,000 hectares with an outstanding winemaking tradition;
- Voian Island, the only inhabited island among the more than 100 on the Nistru, featuring tourist guesthouses;
- An impressive stone quarry, even larger than the famous Cricova, along with attractions such as the Peasant’s Museum and the Church on the Water.
Historic and cultural tourism – untapped potential
Viorel Miron highlighted that the Nistru area was for centuries a frontier between three medieval states: Moldova, Poland, and Tartary, with numerous fortresses and medieval towns that have disappeared or remain less known. The heritage register includes over 100 natural and man-made monuments, most located in accessible tourist areas.
Another strength of the destination is its network of tourist trails, currently being marked and developed. This year, 14 tour guides have been certified, prepared to offer authentic experiences on diverse routes, including boat trips, ATV or SUV tours, salt mine visits, and tastings of traditional local cuisine.
The DMO “Nistru Riviera” represents over 1,000 accommodation places in the area, almost fully booked this tourist season. Over 400 jobs are directly related to tourism, and the number of annual visitors has surpassed that of well-known destinations such as Orheiul Vechi. Miron presented the full list of economic operators in the cluster, underlining the close cooperation between entrepreneurs and communities.
The Nistru Riviera is not just a rural destination with wine and leisure, but a place where tourists can spend up to 10–15 days, exploring a diverse mix of attractions, services, and events. Festivals such as Lavanda Fest, Iemania Festival – relocated this year to Horeacani guesthouse with over 20,000 visitors – and AquaFest (scheduled for this summer) create a dynamic atmosphere and attract a wide audience passionate about nature and culture.
Conclusion
The intervention of Viorel Miron highlighted the immense potential of the Nistru Riviera as an authentic tourist destination, with rich natural and cultural heritage, supported through local collaboration and integrated strategies. By promoting this region and organizing thematic events and festivals, the Nistru Riviera is positioning itself as a major hub for sustainable tourism development in the Moldova Region, open to future partnerships and investments.
Moreover, Miron emphasized the importance of engaging local communities and entrepreneurs in tourism development, as well as the need for well-established infrastructure and professional tour guides to ensure an authentic and memorable visitor experience. This collaborative and quality-oriented model can transform the Nistru Riviera into a regional success story, capable of attracting an increasing number of tourists and contributing significantly to the local economy.
