Slănic Moldova, from Tradition to Innovation! Progress and Perspectives in Touristic Development under the Leadership of Mayor Gheorghe BACIU

The town of Slãnic-Moldova is situated in the southwest part of Bacãu County, in a small depression, on the valley of the Slãnic River, from where it also takes its name

Slănic Moldova, nicknamed “The Pearl of Moldova”, is located in a valley surrounded by beech and fir forests, served by the national road DN12B, leading northeast to Târgu Ocna. It is one of the first resorts in the country, operating between 1887 and 1916, 1930 and 1944, and then from 1965 to 1989. Since the year 2000 until today, it has solidified its position as one of the most important and appreciated tourist destinations.

In recent years, under the leadership of Mayor Gheorghe BACIU, the city of Slănic Moldova has made significant progress towards development. Through initiatives and strategies implemented by the local administration, efforts have been made to capitalize on the tourist potential, always aiming to attract investors to the region. The projects realized have contributed to strengthening Slănic Moldova’s position as a renowned tourist destination, and diversifying the tourist offer through infrastructure projects and international collaborations aims to attract a broad category of tourists.

Mayor Gheorghe BACIU: “In the last 4 years, the city of Slănic Moldova has achieved significant progress by completing several high-impact projects.”

To provide a representative overview of the development of the city of Slănic-Moldova in the last 4 years, please name the top 5 most important projects completed during this period.

In the last 4 years, the city of Slănic Moldova has achieved significant progress by completing several high-impact projects. Among the most important accomplishments are obtaining the Exploitation License for the nine therapeutic water springs and beginning the exploration of two new springs (Spring No. 3 and Stroiu Spring). Of these, Stroiu Spring has the highest water salinity per liter, being the first time in history that this saline spring has been exploited.

Moreover, we have managed to return to the municipality the buildings associated with these springs and developed pedestrian access ways, thereby paving the way for the efficient use of therapeutic resources, including mofetic gas (in partnership with INRFB), with two research works already completed in the first year of operation:

• “The study on the quality, importance, and possibilities of capitalizing on the mineral waters of the Slănic-Moldova area” in collaboration with Vasile Alecsandri University of Bacău, author Prof. Dr. Lavinia Misăilă;
• “Research services regarding the effect of the mineral waters from Spring I, and Spring 1 bis on health status”, also a partnership with the National Institute of Recovery, Physical Medicine, and Balneoclimatology, regarding the mofetic gas and Spring 3.

In addition, there are over 19 projects that have been submitted for funding, of which 11 have already signed Financing Contracts. Another achievement is that the Chairlift has been integrated into the city’s tourist facilities. The organization of a large number of annual events, over 50 this year, has increased the tourist attraction of the resort.

To enhance the safety of the citizens, torrential works have been completed (over 80%), a project that will conclude in the summer of 2024. Additionally, we have initiated the biodiversity conservation project based on the Management Plan of the Natura 2000 ROSCIO230 Slănic site. The completion of the Public Lighting project and the drafting of several feasibility studies support our commitment to sustainable community development.

Are there projects intended to capitalize on the touristic potential of the area?

Projects designed to capitalize on the tourist potential of the area include:

• implementing a modern system for the distribution of therapeutic water sources, using programmable vending machines and de-icing systems to deliver fresh water at optimal temperature directly to users,
• enhancing the area’s appeal through the installation of automated lighting systems in various colors,
• landscaping the Central Park with modern playgrounds, fitness equipment, and outdoor sports facilities for children and adults,
• improving the tourist experience at the Chairlift by extending the operating schedule and offering the opportunity to taste local traditional products in a unique natural setting.

We have also arranged playgrounds and outdoor recreational areas at the upper end of the chairlift, expanding the touristic appeal by creating tourist trails to historical landmarks from World War I and marking the international “Camino de Santiago” route, which passes through the locality. The route includes points of interest such as the Heroes Monument on Măgura Ocnei, the Heroes Monument on Cireșoaia Hill, Queen’s Table, the International Heroes Cemetery in Slănic-Moldova, Central Park, Mineral Springs, and continues towards Transylvania, through Poiana Sărata. Another trail, “The Way of the Cross of the Nation’s Heroes,” has been constructed, starting from the Catholic Church to the Heroes Monument on Cireșoaia.

“Slănic Moldova stands out among spa resorts and occupies a special place among treatment resorts due to its unique spectrum of chemical compositions of therapeutic mineral waters.”

What are the main tourist attractions in the Slănic Moldova area?

The main tourist attractions in the Slănic Moldova area include the Mineral Springs of Slănic Moldova and the Salt Mine, forming a unique therapeutic ensemble in Romania for balneal tourism. Also notable are the Central Park with its Floral Calendar and events held in the Music Pavilion, the Royal Casino, hiking trails, the Chairlift, and the associated ski slope.

Tourists can also enjoy local gastronomy, with restaurants and terraces, and up to 5-star hotel services. Cultural events, sports, and entertainment, as well as promenade performances, add to the attraction. Additionally, the area offers historical and religious routes, churches and monasteries, as well as infrastructure for cycling trails in the resort.

Slănic Moldova stands out among spa resorts and occupies a special place among treatment resorts due to its unique spectrum of chemical compositions of therapeutic mineral waters. Another advantage is the highly ozonated air due to its geographical location at the foot of mixed coniferous and deciduous forests.

Slănic-Moldova distinguishes itself with its unique characteristics among spa resorts, holding a special place due to the extensive variation in the chemical composition of its therapeutic mineral springs, the richest in Romania, encompassing a diverse range of carbonated, chloride-sodium, sulfurous, iodinated, brominated, mineral, hypotonic, alkaline, and ferrous-vitriolic waters. The highly ozonated air, generated by the geographical location of the resort at the foot of coniferous and deciduous forests, off ers signifi cant health benefi ts to visitors.

The tranquil ambiance of the locality, situated at the end of DN12B, resulting in reduced traffic, ensures a calm and comforting atmosphere for tourists. The presence of the Salt Mine in Târgu Ocna and its salty water complements the therapeutic off erings of the resort, providing a unique medical recovery framework in Romania and even in Europe.

What are the main steps taken to reintegrate the Slănic-Moldova Casino into the tourist circuit?

Regarding the reintroduction of the Slănic-Moldova casino into the tourism circuit, several steps have been taken. The Slănic-Moldova casino is the first built in Romania and the fifth privately owned in Europe, but the current owner does not provide maintenance and operational conditions in accordance with the current legislation.

Regulating the situation of the Casino has been and remains a priority objective, starting from 2019, when we initiated the approval of measures in the Local Council to reintegrate the Slănic-Moldova Casino into the tourism circuit. At this moment, we are in the process of evaluating for expropriation and obtaining approval from the Ministry of Culture, currently in the stage of obtaining the technical and economic indicators. To ensure proper compliance with Romanian legislation, we have engaged a law fi rm to provide us with the best counsel to quickly fi nd a solution to bring this building back into the ownership of the local administrative unit (UAT), to refurbish, equip, and arrange it in such a way as to integrate it into the tourism circuit.

How is Slănic-Moldova promoted and exploited as a tourist destination?

Slănic-Moldova is exploited as a tourist destination through various traditions. We have a rich tradition, with evidence indicating that Slănic-Moldova has been highlighted since the late 19th to early 20th century as a locality with unique potential in Europe.

Since the early 20th century, the Mineral Springs of Slănic-Moldova have been awarded at international competitions, with ongoing research and promotion of these resources aimed at their exploitation. Additionally, in terms of medical recovery, we have clinical studies, especially from the interwar period, documenting the importance of these waters, their usefulness, and the diversity of medical treatment possibilities off ered by them.

We have increased tourism attractiveness through the integration of the chairlift, agrotourism, guesthouses, terraces, and restaurants off ering traditional products, which also organize events for young people.

We are striving to enhance the attractiveness of the area by building and refurbishing historical monuments from World War I and other sites related to historical and religious tourism.

Diversification of the tourist offer is also achieved through the projects we have undertaken (developing the springs, restarting the Mofete, which will be done this year on the spa side, arranging hiking trails, maintaining them, and opening new ones, the Protected Areas project, which increases our tourism potential through biodiversity conservation and the establishment of observation points, visiting routes, bike trails along hiking trails and within the Protected Area).

We are considering the modernization and rearrangement of the Park, where we will create relaxation areas and a Children’s town, specific spaces for sports, providing sports halls for camps and competitions. Organizing events in the Music Pavilion in the Central Park of the Resort to offer as many diverse cultural and artistic events as possible for tourists or visitors to enjoy their leisure time. Encouraging and promoting local traditions and customs through the Days of Slănic, the County Folklore Festival, the Fair of Folk Craftsmen, Christmas and New Year’s Old Style Traditions and Customs, including the Festival of Bessarabian Traditions.

How has the Slănic-Moldova City Hall addressed this period marked by inflation with all its consequences generating economic instability?

Slănic Moldova has been affected by inflation, as well as the economic crisis caused by COVID, since 95% of the main industry of the city relies on tourism services. Clearly, the low number of tourists has negatively impacted the city’s economic situation, as tax revenues have decreased considerably.

During that period, the number of staff was reduced, and task redistribution was necessary. We aimed to save energy, with LED lighting throughout the Slănic-Moldova resort, computerized mineral water distribution systems with modern equipment and automation in certain areas. Investments made in the automotive sector (we have electric and hybrid cars, electric tricycles, electric cleaning equipment) all bring reduced costs and maximum efficiency.

Compared to previous years, processes that in the past involved 24 people are now being carried out with only 12-14 people.

What are the investment objectives you have in mind for the future in the city of Slănic-Moldova?

Future investment objectives for the city of Slănic-Moldova include enhancing the mobility of tourists and residents through the implementation of a public transportation system, which involves acquiring electric buses and an electric minibus. Green transportation will occupy a significant point in our strategy, as we aim to provide tourists with the opportunity to travel without polluting, as well as with reduced costs.

We have signed the contract for the acquisition of buses and for the implementation of a traffic management system for all bus stations. These will be equipped with modern displays, providing real-time information about the desired route’s duration. All stations will have Wi-Fi connection, video surveillance, and other facilities for traffic management, including conditions for cycling and walking.

Currently, we are in the preparation phase for the second stage of modernizing the torrents.

Other important projects include:

• Establishing Bicycle Infrastructure in the city of Slănic-Moldova, covering an area of 2510 square meters (2.510 kilometers), including the area from the Ski Slope to the Springs area.
• Construction of digitized ecological islands, for the implementation of the project titled “Establishing a Digital Monitoring and Efficiency System for Selective Waste Storage Activities, Digitized Ecological Islands at the city level.”
• Rehabilitation, Modernization, and Equipment of Public Buildings – Rehabilitation of the S.V.S.U. Building.
• Rehabilitation, Modernization, and Equipment of Public Buildings: Rehabilitation of the Cireșoaia Socio-Cultural and Youth Center Building.
• The Protected Areas Project, “Implementation of active measures for biodiversity conservation based on the Management Plan of the Natura 2000 site ROSCI0230 Slănic”, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Large Infrastructure Operational Program 2014-2020, priority axis 4, Specific Objective 4.1 Increasing the degree of protection and conservation of biodiversity and restoring degraded ecosystems by creating a thematic park, observation points, and a 12 km mountain biking trail.
• Putting into operation the swimming pool and sports halls.
• “Rehabilitation, Modernization, and Equipping of an Integrated Community Center in Slănic Moldova”, where we support people with special needs, social problems, the elderly, and children, providing as many opportunities as possible to solve their problems.
• Modernization of the streets within the Slănic Moldova administrative-territorial unit.
• For the enhancement of tourist attractiveness, we are arranging certain facilities at the end of the ski slope.

The priority projects we have in mind focus on developing the water and sewage network, as Slănic-Moldova has not received funding in this direction and has not been considered in county investments, as it is not a shareholder in CRAB. Therefore, we are forced to manage this situation ourselves, which poses a major challenge, being very difficult.

Other achievements we have include:

• We have signed the contract for the project “Equipping Pre-university Education Units in the city of Slănic Moldova with Furniture, Teaching Materials, and Digital Equipment.”
• We have secured funding for the project “Updating the General Urban Plan of the City of Slănic Moldova.”
• We have signed two projects with AFM regarding “Establishing a network of electric vehicle charging stations in Slănic-Moldova” (6 stations) and implementing the project “Establishing a Network of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Normal Power Stations in Slănic Moldova” (28 stations).
• We have a promotion plan both in the mass media and through all national and international channels, as well as projects targeting collaborations with European countries: Poland, Greece, Italy, Spain. Additionally, we have collaborations with universities: Vasile Alecsandri University and George Bacovia University in Bacău.
• We have a Twinning project with a town in Italy; furthermore, we have a very good collaboration with other Balneoclimatic Resorts in Romania, a domain we aim to develop further.