Between October 7 and 10 took place in Piatra Neamt the IV edition of the European Congress of Rural Tourism. The theme of this year’s edition was “Innovation tourism – a new life for rural areas” where there were participants from 26 countries, members of EU. The official opening was Sunday October 7 in the Royal Court from Piatra Neamt where there were local artisans, a pie oven, a blacksmith, a carpentry and a small stage where the officials talked about the event.

Saturday and Sunday, the participants to the congress had the chance to visit the main touristic objectives from Neamt County. There were three visiting packages “Nature”, “Cultural monuments” and “Adventure” and the main purpose was to advertise what this place has to offer to tourists.

Monday there was the debut of the conference at “Sala Polivalenta” building with four main discussion themes: “The importance of tourism for rural area – past and future”, “Innovation concepts and products in the field of rural tourism”, “Maintaining the rural communities and the cultural patrimony alive through tourism” and “Rural tourism in the world of the Internet and social media”.

Tuesday took place few seminars in four different locations: in Tarcau was the seminar “Green roads – former train lines”, at Neamt Monastery there was the seminar “The cultural heritage”, at Durau resort took place the seminar “Nature” and in Piatra Neamt was the seminar “Gastronomy”. The evening ended at Ancutei Inn.

The European Congress for Rural Tourism from Piatra Neamt was organized by Eurogites, European Federation of Farm and Village Tourism, ANTREC Romania, The Minister of Regional Development and Tourism, Piatra Neamt Town Hall, Neamt County Council, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Neamt and the Agency for Regional Development North – East.