Within the 5th IMPACT Interregional visit, a two-day study visit took place in Haţeg Geopark, a UNESCO Global Geopark located in Transylvania region (Romania).
Instead of building a large geopark visiting hub, it has been developed a network of interpretation that includes seven visiting centres, with different themes, and spread across multiple localities of the park. More info here.
The purpose of the visit was to observe how the different interpretation centers work. Also, other representative tourist objectives were visited at the destination (St. Nicholas Church of Densuș, Haţeg Village Museum of Peşteana or Mălăieşti Fortress, and "Haţegana" Cooperative, a unit that has behind a tradition of 47‐years in clothes craftsmanship).
All of these objectives are partnered with the Geopark, being promoted by the latter or collaborating with it in various projects.
An important point within the study visit was the contact with the members of the Retezat National Park and the visit to the Falls of Lolaia. Haţeg Country Dinosaurs Geopark is a partner with Retezat National Park in the development of the ecotourism destination of Haţeg Country.
Retezat and that is one of the four ecotourism destinations recognized so far by the Romanian Ministry of Tourism.
Another objective of the visit programme was the trip to Slivuţ European Bison Reserve. During this visit, was emphasized the rich effort made at the international level to save this mammal race that is about to disappear. Also, on this occasion was presented the project related to the release of the bisons into the wild.
A last aspect of the planned study visits was related to the involvement of local communities in Geopark's activities, and on the evening of 8 March 2018 was organized a traditional tasting of the typical products offered by the Women's Association of Sântămăria Orlea.
