sustainable tourism in danube delta biosphere reserve

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
IN
DANUBE DELTA
BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Life with respect for nature! ®
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
The fundamental changes that took place in the Romanian
society, after 1989, have lead to the value reevaluation of the
Danube Delta, the scientific interest for protecting this area
was prioritary over the economic interest. Danube Delta was
declared a biosphere reserve in 1990 by the Government of
Romania and by the Romanian Parliament through Law
82/1993.
Single delta of the whole world, entirely declared a biosphere reserve
One of the worldwide largest wetland, especially a waterfowl habitat
The greatest reedbed expanses worldwide
General presentation of DDBR
Surface: 580,000 ha
- (2,5 % of Romania’s surface)
- The 22nd delta in the world and
the 2rd delta in Europe (after Volga)
The Danube Delta is the greatest protected natural area on the European continent, the best
preserved wetland region of Europe. The fact that is declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1990
is an acknowledgement of the equal attention paid both to locals and their traditional way of
living, based on the resources from the area, their cultural heritage of the various ethnic
groups, as well as to the and the conservation
Danube Delta –
one of the most representative wetlands of Europe
 By its size, the Danube Delta is the most important wetland area in the
South-Eastern Europe, having an important contribution to the regional
and global water cycle.
 Danube Delta is one of the most important tourist regions of Romania,
through the originality of its landscape (relief, water, vegetation, fauna,
population and human settlements).
 It is an unique place where the people are living in isolated settlements
spread in the area, depending on the natural resources.
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
The international recognition:

The universal value of the reserve was recognized by the
Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO in
1990, through its inclusion in the international network of
biosphere reserves

The DDBR is listed as a wetland of international importance
especially as waterfowl habitat under the Ramsar
Convention (1991)

Inclusion of the strictly protected areas in the World
Heritage List under the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage Convention (1990).
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
The European value:
Council of Europe Awards:
2000, European Diploma for protected area
renewed in 2005 and 2010
EUROSITE Awards:
1995 - for restoration works
2001 - for management and public awareness
EUROPARC member
Natura 2000 Site (SPA and SCI)
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
World Wetland Network Blue Globe Award 2010
For best practice in wetland management
Nagoya, JAPAN
The QualityCoast GOLD Award 2011
For excellence in Nature and Identity
May 2011, Kouklia, Cyprus
A great recognition for Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, a
beautiful area rich in nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Did you know?
Danube Delta has a surface of 4,178 km2 and it lays on the
territory of two countries
82% from delta’s surface in on Romania’s territory and the
rest is in Ukraine.
Danube Delta is the second delta as extent from Europe
Volga Delta is on the first position.
Danube Delta is the 22nd delta as extent on the globe
The first five positions are occupied by Amazon, Gange –
Brahmaputra, Iantî, Mekong and Mississippi.
Danube Delta is on the third place in the world as scientific
importance concerning the biological diversity.
With over 7,400 species of flora and fauna identified here, the
delta is on the third place, after the Coral Reef (Australia) and the
Galapagos Archipelago (Ecuador).
DDBR –BIODIVERSITY
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve,
is one of the largest delta in Europe, including one of the most unspoilt
wetlands on the continent. Hosting an amazing range of habitats and life
forms, in a relatively small area, is a real museum of biodiversity, a natural
genetic bank with incalculable value for the worldwide natural heritage.
 30 types of ecosystems of which 23 are natural

More than 7400 flora and fauna species, of which
- 2383 flora species
- 4029 fauna species
DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Paradise of Birds
Most of the European population of White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus);
and
 60% from world population of Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus)
 50% from world population of Red- breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis), during winter
season
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
Birdwatchers paradise
Birds offer to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve the world –wide
known fame.
Out of 341 species there are estimated:
-Nesting birds: 171 species
-Migratory or partial migratory birds: 284 species
- 12 Species of birds declared monuments of nature : Shelduck (Tadorna
tadorna), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferugineea), Raven (Corvus corax ), White Pelican
(Pelecanus onocrotalus), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus), Great Bustard (Otis
tarda), Black Winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) , Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia),
Great White Egret (Egretta alba), Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
PELICANS are undoubtedly some of the most emblematic bird species on Earth.
Their large size with 310-345 cm wing span and 10-12 kg in weight,
In Romania they became a symbol for the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and an
objective for all those that chose the delta for tourism.
Romania is one of the few European countries were both European pelican species
can be seen: The Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) and the Dalmatian
Pelican (Pelecanus crispus). If the first one’s breeding population in the Delta can
reach 3500 – 4000 breeding pairs, the Dalmation Pelican reaches only up to 400 –
550 breeding pairs in all the colonies found in Danube Delta.
LETEA FOREST
A LUXURIANT NATURAL
ECOSISTEM IN DDBR
Letea Forest is located in the north part of the Danube, East of village C.A. Rossetti. Strictly
protected area comprises only part of the total forest area, (2.825 ha) and has been under
protection since 1930.
Forest developed among sand dunes and 10 – 250 m wide strips, is composed mainly of
Oak, Gray Oak, White Poplar, Swamp Ash, White Lime Tree, Elm.
A characteristic of this area is the abundance of climbing plants (Periploca graeca, Hedera
helix, Vitis silvestris, Clematis vitalba) which give a subtropical aspect to the forest.
THE FISH FAUNA
from the DDBR is remarkably rich, with 135 species. The majority is fresh water fishes, but
there are also marine species that come into the Danube Delta and on the Danube course
during the reproduction season.
Approximately a third of these species were and still are subject to commercial fishing,
including the sturgeons (since 2006 there is a 10 year prohibition) and the Pontic Shad
(Alosa pontica).
DDBR – People and nature
Rural settlements: 24 (65,6 % inhabitants)
Urban settlements: 1 (Sulina) (34,4 % inhabitants)
Population: 12 638 inhabitants (2011 census)
About 14 ethnic groups:
Romanians, Lipovans, Ukrainians, Greeks,
Turks, Hungarians, other nationalities
PERIPRAVA
240
CHILIA VECHE
2.232
CEATALCHIOI
412
SALCENI
105
Isaccea
PATLAGEANCA
227
TUDOR VLADIMIRESCU
385
PLAURU
89
PARDINA
682
LETEA
362
SFIȘTOFCA
110
C.A.ROSETTI
225
MILA 23
460
Si
ILGANII DE SUS
53
MALIUC
236
PARTIZANI
364
ILGANII DE JOS
167
CARDON
16
VULTURU
45
BALTENII DE SUS
37
GORGOVA
142
CRISAN
470
SULINA
4.350
BALTENII DE JOS
82
UZLINA
4
CARAORMAN
320
SETTLEMENTS / POPULATION
TOTAL: 12,638 inhabitants
(2011 census - 24 villages,
1 town)
SF.GHEORGHE
860
DDBR- Home for People and Nature
Traditional
activities:
 fishing and
pisciculture
 agriculture
 navigation and
transport
 cattle breeding
 beekeeping
 tourism
DDBR- Home for People and Nature
DDBR- Home for People and Nature
Traditional fishing
DDBR- Home for People and Nature
TOURISTIC POTENTIAL OF
DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Landscape components (more than
470 lakes, channels, forests, sand dunes,
beaches, etc. )
Biodiversity (30 types of ecosystems,
More than 7400 flora and fauna species)
Natural resources
Climate (Continental-temperate: 11.0
- 11.6°C, Annual sunshine: 2,300-2,400
hours/ year, Annual rainfall: 350-450
mm)
Culture and history (archaeological
traces, Ethnography and folklore)
Human settlements (Rural
settlements: 25, urban settlements: 1
(Sulina), Ethnical structure: about 14
nationalities )
SPECIFIC TOURISM PROGRAMMES IN
DANUBE DELTA
 LEISURE TOURS
one day trip in large groups (60-80 persons), with
modern transport ships, or in smaller groups (6-8
persons), with small ships
 ITINERANT DISCOVERY TOURISM
Visitors who want to spend more time in the Danube
Delta can also choose between itinerary trips of 6-12
days, on modern and comfortable floating hotels, and
stationary holidays, with accommodation in hotels
and pensions from villages or resorts in the Danube
Delta.
 SPECIALIZED
TRIPS
AND
SCIENTIFIC
TOURISM
(E.G.
ORNITHOLOGISTS,
SPECIALISTS, RESEARCHERS, STUDENTS)
RURAL TOURISM
Tourists are hosted in local people houses or
pensions, who offers them full board and
guided by them on trips with small boats.
 BALNEARY TOURISM (HELIO-MARINE
CURE ON THE BEACHES OF SULINA, ST.
GHEORGHE)
SPECIAL YOUTH PROGRAMS (for discovery,
understanding and appreciation of nature);
SPORT FISHING
EXPLORING THE DELTA ON KAYCS
VISITING LOCALITIES,
MEALS, etc.
TRADITIONAL
TOURISM FACILITIES IN
DANUBE DELTA
 ACCOMMODATIONalmost 5000 places
-Hotels
-Floating hotels
-Small houses
-Small hotels
-Rural pensions
-Bungalows, villas
-Camping
- Camps for children
TOURIST ROUTES IN THE DANUBE
DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Once declared a biosphere reserve, the
Reserve Authority established its own
rules for carrying out tourism activities, in
order to protect the natural heritage.
 For this purpose, 24 tourist routes have
been established within the reserve:
- 15 routes only by naval transportation
- 9 trails that can be done by hiking or road
transport (hiking trails).
 Boat routes start from the main entry
points in reserve: Tulcea, Murighiol,
Jurilovca or from the localities situated in
the reserve: Chilia Veche, Crişan, Sulina, St.
Gheorghe.
 Hiking trails start from Tulcea,
Murighiol, Uzlina, Sulina, Sf. Gheorghe,
Chilia Veche.
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA)
•DDBRA is a public institution established, in 1990, to administrate the natural heritage
of national interest of Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve.
• DDBRA is subordinated to the Romanian Ministry of Environment, Waters and
Forestry and it is led by a Governor (assimilated to Undersecretary of State).
•Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority promotes development of ecotourism
because it generates benefits both to natural heritage (management of protected area,
promote sustainable tourism principles) and to local communities (alternative source of
income).
•DDBRA coordinates the management of the Biosphere Reserve area through three main
objectives:
 Conservation and protection of the existing natural heritage
 Encouragement of sustainable use of the natural resources
 Provision of support, based on the results of research,
for management, education, training and services.
DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
AUTHORITY RESPONSABILITIES ON TOURISM
It organize and controls the tourist activities on the Danube Delta territory according to
the Biosphere Reserve types of areas (strictly protected, buffer and economic areas) and
the management objectives:
Identifies and approves the tourists routes
 Identifies and approves the areas for angling
 Establishes regulations and visiting codes for DDBR visitors and tourists
 Establishes regulations and authorizes the tourism activities and business on the
DDBR territory
 Coordinates the programmes for Ecological Education and Information through its
Visitor and Information Centres (5 Centres for now)
 Facilitates the tourists activities through the civil works for chanells dredging and
ecological restoration
 Provides information and facilitates the tourist activities through information
materials, guides, maps, birdwatching towers or visiting paths
MARKETING – PROMOTION ACTIVITIES
In order to achieve the protection of biodiversity and sustainable development in the
Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority has
included measures to promote DDBR, its natural and cultural values ​for Romanian
and foreign visitors, resulting in actions such as:
 developing new promotional materials and presentation DDBR respectively guide,
flyers, visitor code, CD presentation;
 update the database with information on tourism potential DDBR;
 cooperation with tourism companies with business in DDBR to conduct a tourism
awareness and environmental education;
 panels indicating strictly protected areas in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve;
 Delta promotion in several important international tourism fairs and exhibitions:
Vienna, Stuttgart, London, Munich and Berlin, where Delta is promoted by
associations like Friends of Nature International and Friends of Nature Romania, the
Association of Ecotourism in Romania, County Council Tulcea, GTZ, etc. as a
sustainable tourism destination.
Activity - Implementing quality:
Carrying capacities for visitor
management
Within the DANUBEPARKS STEP2.0 Project, as a pilot, DDBRA and the partner
Landkreis Neuburg Schrobenhausen, assessed their carrying capacities and
integrate their gained know-how into a joint transferrable CARRYING CAPACITY
TOOL.
A databank with open access to all DANUBEPARK-Members and will lead to a
first approach to estimate how many visitors one park is able to compensate
without endangering its species and its visitor attraction.
This monitoring system is unique for every Protected Area since they differ from
one to another, from the Upper and Middle Danube to the Lower Danube Region.
Based on the carrying capacity study, a partnership between the Protected Area,
local authorities and tourism stakeholders must be developed, including the
coordination of visitors flows and therefore of the distribution of visitor pressure on
natural habitats.
DANUBEPARKS Network
Winner of the Natura 2000 Award 2015!
 In the frame of the big ceremony at the European Commission headquarter, on
21st May, Commissioner Mr. Karmenu Vella handed over the trophy to
DANUBEPARKS for the outstanding achievements for cross-border networking
and cooperation for Natura 2000 European Network in the last year.
 DANUBEPARKS – The Danube River Network of Protected Areas is the best
practice project for the active cooperation of Protected Areas and the fruitful and
inspiring working together of people from numerous countries, were the
argumentation and appreciation by the expert jury.
DDBRA – actively involved in EUSDR
The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) represents a platform to
facilitate partnerships, both between local and regional authorities and between
authorities, the private sector and NGOs by generating projects for the
development of the Danube region.
The EUSDR represents a
financial
opportunity
for
projects, the European funds
for the 2014-2020 period and
other grants may be attracted
by the local and governmental
public institutions, economic
agents, NGOs, central and
local budgets etc. in order to
support
the
sustainable
development of the Danube
Delta on a medium and long
term.
CONTACT
Danube Delta Biosphere
Reserve Authority
34 A Str. Portului
RO 820243 TULCEA
ROMANIA
Phone: +4 0240 518945
Fax:
+4 0240 518975
E-mail: arbdd@ddbra.ro
www.ddbra.ro
THANK VERY MUCH YOU FOR
ATTENTION!
Photos from: Daniel Petrescu, Alina Codreanu, Cristian Mititelu.