For over a year now I have been studying the local tourism market to learn it. I think I did a good job, which, although didn't take me too far in my plans it made me rethink, re-plan my future steps.
I will probably write about my experiences at some point, but what I would like to do now is to let you know about two good examples, two trustworthy businesses in tourism near here so that if you want to explore Transylvania you know where to apply to. One of them is called Slow Tours Transylvania and they are mainly dealing with rural tourism in the area, more specifically around the villages Parajd and Korond (Praid and Corund in Romanian). One of the most spectacular areas here is the Salt Canyon. The guy who is behind the business and who seems to understand how tourism should work is Zoltan Pal. He speaks fluent English and is a terrific tour-guide. Their website is quite rubbish and it's only in 2 languages, Hungarian and Romanian, but if you contact the right person the quality of your holiday is guaranteed.
The other team is a bit different. They are for those who like active, outdoor holidays in the mountains and they are fit enough for harsher conditions, too. They are the Hargita Eco Alpine Club and their website is
http://www.transylvanian-adventures.com/welcome_page.html
I found them by accident :), but I am very glad that they exist and they actually have a clear view of what they want and who they want to target. The reviews of the trips they organised are all excellent!
Others than the 2 above I don't know. :) There are excellent individual accommodation providers who also offer various programmes for the visitors (not too many though), but somehow they remain invisible for the foreign markets. One day maybe they will wake up from their dream...
p.s. Today we went out to check the snow conditions at the small ski run just 6 km from our house. This is how it is now. Not enough snow for skiing, but enough for a smiley snowman.
I will probably write about my experiences at some point, but what I would like to do now is to let you know about two good examples, two trustworthy businesses in tourism near here so that if you want to explore Transylvania you know where to apply to. One of them is called Slow Tours Transylvania and they are mainly dealing with rural tourism in the area, more specifically around the villages Parajd and Korond (Praid and Corund in Romanian). One of the most spectacular areas here is the Salt Canyon. The guy who is behind the business and who seems to understand how tourism should work is Zoltan Pal. He speaks fluent English and is a terrific tour-guide. Their website is quite rubbish and it's only in 2 languages, Hungarian and Romanian, but if you contact the right person the quality of your holiday is guaranteed.
The other team is a bit different. They are for those who like active, outdoor holidays in the mountains and they are fit enough for harsher conditions, too. They are the Hargita Eco Alpine Club and their website is
http://www.transylvanian-adventures.com/welcome_page.html
I found them by accident :), but I am very glad that they exist and they actually have a clear view of what they want and who they want to target. The reviews of the trips they organised are all excellent!
Others than the 2 above I don't know. :) There are excellent individual accommodation providers who also offer various programmes for the visitors (not too many though), but somehow they remain invisible for the foreign markets. One day maybe they will wake up from their dream...
p.s. Today we went out to check the snow conditions at the small ski run just 6 km from our house. This is how it is now. Not enough snow for skiing, but enough for a smiley snowman.