100 OPPORTUNITIES / A7: “Tourism Development in Moldova: The Impact of the A7 Highway on the Hospitality Sector” 2 – Centrul de Analiză și Planificare a Dezvoltării Regionale’>

CAMPAIGN: “100 Economic Opportunities for the Development of the Moldova Region Along the A7 Highway”

Author: Ion Ștefanovici, President of CAPDR

The A7 Highway will transform the Expanded Region of Moldova not only economically and industrially, but also by stimulating the tourism and hospitality sectors. As President of CAPDR, I believe that this modern infrastructure will offer new opportunities for tourism, facilitating access to the region’s tourist attractions and encouraging investments in hotels, restaurants, and other related services.

1. Increasing accessibility to Moldova’s tourist attractions

The A7 Highway will facilitate quick and easy access to important tourist destinations in Moldova, such as the monasteries of Bucovina, historic cities like Iași, and the natural landscapes of the Eastern Carpathians. This connectivity will attract more tourists from other regions of Romania and abroad, stimulating the development of cultural, historical, and nature tourism. At the same time, it will open new opportunities for the development of rural tourism, where visitors can explore the natural beauty and local traditions.

2. Investments in hospitality infrastructure

As the number of tourists grows, investments in hospitality infrastructure will become essential. With the construction of the highway, there is enormous potential for the development of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and leisure facilities near the route. The region will attract investors interested in developing accommodation and tourist services, offering high-quality experiences in both rural and urban environments.

3. Business tourism and international conferences

Thanks to the quick access the A7 Highway will offer to important economic centers in southern Romania and Bucharest, interest in business tourism will also increase. Moldova could become an attractive destination for conferences, seminars, and international events, stimulating both the hospitality sector and related services such as transport and catering.

4. Growth of wellness and leisure tourism

The Moldova region, known for its natural resources and picturesque landscapes, has great potential for the development of wellness and leisure tourism. The A7 Highway will facilitate access to spa treatment areas and mountain resorts, attracting investors to build spas, wellness centers, and recreational facilities.

5. Impact on the local economy through tourism

As tourism and hospitality infrastructure develop, the local economy will be stimulated by job creation and increased demand for local products and services. Restaurants, small local businesses, and artisan producers will benefit from the increased tourist flow, thus strengthening the region’s economy.

Conclusion

The A7 Highway will have a significant impact on tourism in Moldova, opening new opportunities for the hospitality sector and encouraging investments in modern tourist facilities. This infrastructure will connect the region to national and international tourist markets, bringing sustainable economic benefits.

About the “100 Economic Opportunities for the Development of the Moldova Region Along the A7 Highway” Campaign

The A7 Highway, one of the largest infrastructure projects in Romania, will be a vital artery for the economic development of the Moldova Region, directly connecting it with other regions of the country and international markets. As construction progresses, this highway will not only improve mobility but will also create a new framework for significant economic opportunities.

In this context, our campaign aims to highlight and explore 100 economic opportunities that will transform the Moldova Region into an economic growth hub, benefiting local communities, the business environment, and international investors.

Campaign Objectives:

1. Raise awareness of the economic potential offered by the A7 Highway by highlighting the benefits for sectors such as transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, tourism, and technology.
2. Identify and promote investment opportunities for SMEs, large companies, and foreign investors by presenting concrete examples of economic development in areas adjacent to the highway.
3. Create a framework for collaboration between local authorities, academia, entrepreneurs, and international organizations to maximize the economic benefits of this project.
4. Provide solutions and strategic directions for the development of the Moldova Region through these 100 economic opportunities that will generate jobs, economic growth, and regional stability.

How the 100 Opportunities Will Be Structured:

Over the next 4 months, we will present a different economic opportunity every day, providing a clear and actionable vision on how various industries and economic sectors can take advantage of this new infrastructure.

Each opportunity will be structured around the following directions:

1. Opportunity description – A clear analysis of the economic opportunity within the targeted sector (e.g., agriculture, energy, logistics).
2. Impact on the Moldova Region – A presentation of how the opportunity will contribute to local development, job creation, and improving economic conditions.
3. Success stories – Examples of best practices from other regions or countries that could be replicated in Moldova.
4. Partnerships and collaborations – Identifying key actors (public authorities, companies, investors) who can facilitate the implementation of this opportunity.
5. Economic forecast – A brief estimate of the economic impact (GDP, job creation, investment attraction) generated by each opportunity.

Key Sectors Targeted:

The campaign will cover a wide range of industries, focusing on:

• Infrastructure and transport: Building logistics parks, developing public and private transport networks, investing in storage facilities.
• Energy and environment: Renewable energy projects along the highway, improving energy transport networks.
• Agriculture and rural development: Developing a modern irrigation system, extending supply chains, and facilitating access to international markets.
• Industry and manufacturing: Creating industrial clusters, attracting foreign investments in manufacturing sectors.
• Technology and innovation: Supporting tech startups, implementing smart technologies in infrastructure.
• Tourism and hospitality: Promoting cultural tourism, ecotourism, and business tourism in Moldova.
• Education and professional training: Adapting training programs to the new industry and logistics requirements.
• Health services and medical infrastructure development: The A7 Highway will contribute to improving access to health services in Moldova by reducing transport times between localities and regional medical centers. It will facilitate the development of modern medical infrastructure along the route, creating partnerships between public and private medical institutions and attracting investments in state-of-the-art equipment. Additionally, better connectivity will help redistribute patients from crowded centers to new regional hospitals, reducing pressure on the healthcare system in large urban areas.

Promotion Channels:

The campaign will be promoted through various media channels to maximize impact and reach a wide audience:

1. Social networks and official website: Presenting each daily opportunity, alongside detailed articles.
2. Traditional media (TV, radio, print): Interviews with industry experts and local leaders explaining the economic potential of the highway.
3. Public events and conferences: Organizing seminars and economic forums to discuss and present these opportunities in detail.
4. Partnerships with universities and business organizations: Workshops and information sessions for students, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Expected Results:

• Increasing visibility and investor interest in the Moldova Region and the potential of the A7 Highway.
• Operationalizing the MEMORANDUM of collaboration for Mapping the Opportunities Generated by the construction of the MOLDOVA HIGHWAY – A7
• Mobilizing public authorities and the private sector to implement long-term economic projects supported by the opportunities offered by the infrastructure.
• Developing a strategic plan for the next 6 years, based on the 100 opportunities identified in the campaign and the directions set by the MOLDOVA 2030 strategy.
• Implementing the 8 stages of Moldova’s strategic economic development through the A7 Highway. These include creating a multi-sectoral consortium, conducting an impact study, collaboration between academia and businesses, dialogue with authorities, promoting the region as an investment hub, integrating ecological solutions, monitoring progress, and digital innovation. Each stage is designed to maximize the economic and social impact of the A7 Highway on the region. More details can be found here: A7 STRATEGY.