Opportunities for SMEs in the green tourism sector

Examples from Ocna Sugatag, Maramures County, ROMANIA

Daniela BAZAREA, manager, EUROKALIS SRL

email: office@econatural.ro

Human Resource Development Operational ProgrammePROJECT №: BG051-0001-7.0.07-0121

‘Exchange of experience, know-how and transfer of innovative approaches and good practices for development of the human resources in micro, SMEs for easier transition to “greener economy”

Gabrovo, 19 July 2014

Company Overview• Eurokalis srl is a private company involved in the import, distribution and online sale of organic

and natural products. We have made a very careful selection of suppliers and products to ensure high and reliable quality of the products and consistent supply.

• Our organic suppliers are:o Doves Farm Foods of UK, producers of a whole range of flours including organic flour,

gluten free flour, rye, riceflour, buckewheat, spelt, etc flours. In their own bakery Doves Farm Foods produces biscuits, cookies, breakfast cereals, cereal bars and gluten free pasta;

o Meridian Foods of UK, based in the rolling welsh hills in Denbighshire, they’ve been making nut and seed butters for over 30 years. At Meridian they are committed to producing foods that make you feel great because they are delicious. The finest, simplest ingredients are selected so that you can enjoy nature’s energy;

o Organico Real Foods of UK offering an exciting range of organic Mediterranean foods as well as a range of canned fish in organic sauces in keeping with the rules of sustainable fishing;

o Agricultural Cooperative of Aeghion of Greece, producers of organic extra virgin olive oil, currants and sultanas;

o Papayiannis Bros of Greece, producers of organic sesame halva and Tahini paste.

Detailed information regarding our range of products may be found on our website: www.econatural.ro

• In addition, we offer assistance and consulting services for the promotion and development of organic businesses, we liaise with the local farmers as well as with companies involved in green tourism and production.

About Maramures County• Maramures is considered by many to be the heart and soul of rural

Romania as it has carefully and distinctively preserved the culture, traditions and lifestyle of a mediaeval past. With its picturesque countryside of small villages, rolling hills, pastures, and meadows full of wildflowers, Maramures is a land of breathtaking beauty.

• Maramures displays a complex, all year round tourist offer, pertinent to all tourism types. Here you find old UNESCO heritage wooden churches, a diversity of museums, ski and spa resorts, unique nature and villages where old crafts and traditions are kept alive and most importantly you find the people of Maramures who are famous for their generous hospitality, friendly easy-going kindness and down to earth humour.

About Ocna Sugatag• The commune of Ocna Sugatag is located in the central part of the

Maramures county. It includes 3 villages i.e. Breb, Hoteni, Sat Sugatag as well as the spa resort of Ocna Sugatag. The total population of the commune is approximately 4500 people.

• The commune of Ocna Şugatag, land of history and legend, spreads out in a décor of an great natural landscape beauty, at the foot of the Tibles – Gutai mountains, with a vast panorama where you can admire the Maramures Mountains.

• Given its geographical position, Ocna Şugatag is polarizing the localities around it ensuring the link between the two major municipalities in the county, Baia Mare and Sighetu Marmatiei.

• Possessing a valuable tourism potential, Ocna Sugatag is a spa insufficiently exploited. Situated at an altitude of 500 m, Ocna Sugatag resort, receives over 25,000 tourists annually. Its natural cure factors are:

• Bioclimat sedative sparing (the atmosphere is filled with beneficial negative ions due to the nearby forest, orchards and salt lakes);

• Chlorosidic mineral concentrates.

• Therapeutic indications: rheumatic diseases (cervical, dorsal and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis), peripheral neurological – gynecological, rheumatic abarticulare (tendinosis, tendomyositis, tendoperiostosis, post-traumatic disorders);

• The natural beauty of its surroundings, pure mountain air, its setting within the natural reserve “Craiasca Forest”, the well-preserved local traditions and crafts, distinctive architecture of the houses and buildings, presence of therapeutic springs, relative proximity to the Cavnic ski resort, to the two major cities of the county as well as other areas of tourism interest add to the tourism potential.

Tourism Potential of Ocna Sugatag

CASE STUDY“Popasul din Deal” Pension

• Location: Ocna Sugatag commune, Maramures County • Managed by Pop Vasile (owner and administrator)

Energy-saving and green energy technology: • Geothermal pump is used during the vintner for heating• New generation photovoltaic solar panels used to get hot water in the guesthouse and warm up the water for the

pools• High tech equipment used for obtaining saline aerosol in the spa area and filter the sodium chloride mineral water in

the pool • Bicycle renting offered for guests – organizing outdoor recreational activities using non-motorized alternative

transportation • Use of local products and resources

Benefits for the business owner and local community: • Energy-saving, recourse saving for the owner• Healthy outdoor activities and spa facilities for the guests and tourists• Enhances local economy • Contact information: • Str. Unirii nr. 1D, Ocna Sugatag, Maramures, Romania

Phone: (+40) 262-374133; (+40) 751-944353; Web: www.popasul.ro.

CASE STUDY“Teleptean” Pension

• Location: Ocna Sugatag commune, Maramures County • Managed by Teleptean Gheorghe (owner and administrator)

Energy-saving and green energy technology: • New generation photovoltaic solar panels used to get hot water in the guesthouse and warm up the

water for the pools• Last generation pellet heating unit used to heat the pension • Bicycle renting offered for guests – organizing outdoor recreational activities using non-motorized

alternative transportation • Use of local products and resources

Benefits for the business owner and local community: • Energy-saving, recourse saving for the owner• Healthy outdoor activities and spa facilities for the guests and tourists• Enhances local economy • Contact information: • Str. Unirii nr. 1C, Ocna Sugatag, Maramures, Romania

Phone: (+40) 262-374177; (+40) 745-614981; Web: www.teleptean.ro

CASE STUDY“Tibuleac Plant” Alternative Medicine Centre

• Location: Ocna Sugatag commune, Maramures County • Owned by Tibuleac Gheorghe(owner and administrator)

• Small private business producing therapeutic lotions and creams using local herbs, plants and fruits;

• Additional activity – small alternative medicine center for physiotherapy, reflexology, massage and guidance regarding benefits of local plants and traditional health remedies.

Benefits for the business owner and local community: • Use of local resources to develop own business• Cooperation with local tourist facilities• Enhances local economy

• Contact information: • Str. Unirii nr. 30, Ocna Sugatag, Maramures, Romania

Phone: (+40) 262-374160; (+40) 740-865351

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