"We signed two months ago a partnership agreement with the Republic of Moldova, the tourism sector. We tried to make a common route, the route of voivode Stefan cel Mare. I have succeeded in this and today I have the opportunity to launch this common route", said Minister of Tourism Bogdan Trif on Thursday at the Tourism Fair.

The representative of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, Rodica Verbeniuc, general manager of the Investment Agency of the Republic of Moldova, said the route "unites Romania and the Republic of Moldova through a historical route".

"Today, we are here with a very beautiful initiative, which took shape last year, through the conceptual launch of the first cross-border route joining Romania and the Republic of Moldova on a historical route that will provide a lesson of history and spirituality for all Romanian citizens and the Republic of Moldova. This route is intended for all Romanian-speaking citizens who wish to discover this heritage left by the great voivode on the territory of Moldova, Bessarabia and Bucovina. For Romanian tourists, Romania-Moldova Stefan cel Mare si Sfant will be attractive through diversity, offering a Romanian historical cultural area, but through two different states. The route includes about 24 historical objectives across Romania and about 10 objectives in the Republic of Moldova", said Rodica Verbeniuc.

Also, Bogdan Trif announced that the Constanta Dolphinarium will be expanded and that, starting this year, Romania will increase publicity in the external environment, including on television.

"We have succeeded in investing to have a 600% higher budget (at the Ministry of Tourism - no) to invest. I would like to mention that we already have a submitted project, and this concerns the expansion of the Constata Dolphinarium. Next year, surely the Dolphinarium will look better. I managed to achieve, together with the Ministry of Tourism team, a draft GEO to be fired in the Official Gazette, which regulates the multi-annual budget on tourism investments. (..) The technical project to be done by the Local Public Authority will also be subsidized by the Ministry of Tourism. We've also been able to double the promotion amounts. Romania is deficient in promotion, especially on external promotion. This year we will also enter the foreign markets by promoting both in the online environment, as well as on television networks. I believe this is necessary in conjunction with the fact that we will open the external promotion offices. We already have legislation, we have a budget", said the Tourism Minister on Thursday.

The Romanian Tourism Fair reached its 41st edition and runs from 21 to 24 February at Romexpo. It brings together 330 large companies and exposes advantageous deals to those who are passionate about this sector. This year, other foreign countries, including Bulgaria, Chile, Congo, Moldova, Palestine and Portugal, also announced their official participation, the organizers announced.