Good practice business ABSOLUTE CARPATHIAN

Contributor Herbert Hamele
Country Romania
Keywords
  • ETGG2030-GP
  • ETGG2030-MAP
Organisation ABSOLUTE CARPATHIAN
Postal address Zarnesti, Romania
Webpage https;//www.absolute-nature.ro
Release date 08/04/2022
Landscape type Mountain
Topics
  • Good Governance & CSR
  • Natural Heritage & Biodiversity
GSTC Criteria for Industry
  • A4 Staff engagement
  • A9 Information and interpretation
  • B2 Local employment
  • B3 Local purchasing
  • B4 Local entrepreneurs
  • C1 Cultural interactions
  • D2.2 Transport
  • D3.1 Biodiversity conservation
  • D3.4 Wildlife interactions
Marketplace category Certified Green: Tour operators, Travel agents, Intermediaries Certified Green: Tour operators, Travel agents, Intermediaries
Type Best Practice Business (Best Practice Business)
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# File name Contributor Release date Uploaded by Upload date Size Content type

Category:

Tour Operator

Size:

Micro

Protected areas nearby:

Piatra Craiului National Park;

Bucegi Natural Park;

Fagaras Mountains Natura 2000;

Certifying body:

Eco Romania AER

 

Outstanding contributions

Absolute Carpathian is an incoming tour operator specialising in the provision of wildlife watching experiences in Romania, with a focus on wolf, bear, lynx and bird watching.  Programmes range from day visits of just three hours to short breaks and 10-day programmes. The company’s Responsible Tourism Policy, shown on the home page of their website, covers economic, environmental and social sustainability. The company only uses locally provided services and it favours the use of local crafts and produce.  Group sizes are kept very small, to minimise negative impact.   Itineraries are planned to minimise distances between accommodation and wildlife watching sites.   All the accommodation used by the company, including its own operation, has been certified by Eco Romania. 

A key element of their approach is to create a positive link between tourism and wildlife. The company clearly states it aim to share wildlife experiences with clients and help them understand the importance of conservation, using ecotourism to help protect large carnivores in their natural habitat.  The company has a partnership with the Romanian Wildlife Research Institute and the researchers guide the clients.  It is underlined that these  activities do not harm the animals and do not put visitors at risk, as the researchers know the best way to approach the animals and the watching is done at a safe distance. Some of the data collected during the tours are used by the Institute as part of their research on wildlife behaviour, including the sensitivity of bears towards humans.  The data are also used in advocacy for improving legislation

 

Key SDGs related to this action

  

See: Tourism for SDGs - Recommendations for Companies