The Association of Ecotourism in Romania (AER) succeeded in realising a partnership for nature conservation and tourism development among tourism associations, non-governmental associations acting in local development and nature conservation, nature conservation projects and travel agencies. The innovative idea brought by AER is to bring together the public, non-governmental and the private sector in a partnership for nature conservation and sustainable tourism development.

Mission

Promoting the concept and development of ecotourism for the support of nature conservation, local communities in natural areas, and for raising the standard of ecotourism related services – as well as promotion of nature as an essential element of the Romanian tourist destination image.

Objectives

- Promoting the ecotourism concept and principles at the local, regional and national level;

- Promoting ecotourism as a tool for nature conservation;

- Promoting the natural and traditional values that respect nature, as tourism attractions;

- Involving local communities in ecotourism services and infrastructure development;

- Promoting the ecotourism as a tool to generate income for local communities;

- Encouraging tour operators to use local services;

- Developing and maintaining a quality service system in ecotourism;

- Developing and enforcing a Certification system for ecotourism.