The Municipality of Chișinău is redefining its tourism development strategy, taking concrete
steps toward a model built on sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with international
standards.

In an era where modern tourism has evolved far beyond traditional metrics like mere visitor
numbers, this fresh approach centers on responsible destination management. The ultimate goal
is to cultivate a capital city that celebrates its cultural and natural heritage, generates tangible
benefits for the local community, and offers visitors authentic, unforgettable experiences.

🎯Our objective is clear: To transform Chișinău into a competitive, responsibly managed
tourist destination anchored by solid environmental, economic, and social sustainability
principles.

A Shared Vision Through the SUSDEST-NET Project

To lay the groundwork for this transformation, public officials, tourism industry leaders,
business representatives, civil society members, and sector experts joined forces in a series of
specialized workshops dedicated to sustainable destination development.
Between June 19 and June 29, 2026, several key events took place under the umbrella of the
transnational SUSDEST-NET project, co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg
NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme.

The Chronology of Transformation: From Vision to Action

🗓️ June 19, 2026 | Workshop #1 – Introduction to Sustainability Criteria

The opening session focused on familiarizing participants with sustainable development principles and global standards for tourist destinations. Discussions centered on how these criteria can drive Chișinău’s competitive and responsible growth.

🗓️ June 25, 2026 | Workshop #2 – Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Building an Efficient DMC

A successful destination is built on collaboration. Participants explored ways to strengthen partnerships between public authorities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and the local community, while designing effective cooperation and governance frameworks to sustainably develop and promote Destination Chișinău.

🗓️ June 25, 2026 | Workshop #3 – Participatory Mapping, GIS Tools, and Data Sources for Destination Development

The third session unveiled the results of a participatory mapping process and the methodology used to identify and maximize local tourism resources. Attendees were also introduced to GIS tools, data sources, and information-gathering techniques vital for strategic destination planning and management.

🗓️ June 29, 2026 | Workshop #4 – GSTC Criteria for Sustainable Destinations: Assessment Tools and Indicators for Chișinău

The final workshop was dedicated to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) criteria—the gold standard for sustainable destination management worldwide. Participants analyzed GSTC benchmarks, evaluation tools, and performance indicators, tailoring these global principles to Chișinău’s unique local context.

Looking to the Future

Through this initiative, the Municipality of Chișinău reaffirms its commitment to fostering a responsible tourism ecosystem rooted in collaboration, innovation, and active stakeholder engagement.

The SUSDEST-NET project is far more than a series of workshops; it marks the beginning of a transformative journey. It sets the stage for pioneering destination management methodologies, robust evaluation tools, and dynamic communication platforms that bridge public authorities, private businesses, and local citizens.

By fostering participatory governance and implementing these insights, Chișinău aims to become a shining benchmark for sustainable tourism across the entire Black Sea Basin region.