Bucharest : (AGERPRES).
The Herculane spa ranks first in the country’s strategic plan for the development of health tourism, Minister-delegate for SMEs, Business Environment and Tourism Maria Grapini declared recently while on a visit to the resort lying on the Cerna river (south-west of Bucharest).
Spa tourism is the major priority in the government’s tourism strategy, followed by cultural tourism and ecotourism.
“I am about to take tough measures. Whoever committed to buying here must observe this pledge, for whoever doesn’t I would suggest we should go as far as seizing property. There are historic buildings here that can berefurbished and brought to their former shape. I’ll personally see which investor left these buildings in this derelict state. The property right will be respected, but taking after European models we will oblige these people to relinquish them if they do not have the necessary material resources,” said Minister-delegate Maria Grapini.
The Minister of Tourism considers that it is unacceptable for an area with tourism potential above EU average and one-of-a-kind objectives to go unattended. For this reason, the historic buildings in Herculane will be restored and re-commissioned so that the spa gets back to its former glory and the Romanians draw a double benefit, as tourists, but also an economic advantage.
“If we develop, we will collect higher incomes. The spa’s condition is far worse compared to the years before 1990. The springs and buildings are mostly damaged. They say the state is a poor manager, but here in Herculane the buildings are privately owned and are in an equally bad condition,” Grapini said.
The Tourism Minister blamed the local government for failing to find the legal means to compel the guilty.
According to Herculane mayor Nicusor Vasilescu, the most urgent works are related to water and sewer infrastructure and the revamping of streets.
The Minister of Tourism visited the hotels Dacia and Domogled, the Roman Hotel, the Neptune Baths and the Afrodita Hotel, the latter being completely renovated and modernized as a European-standard treatment facility.
source: http://www.bsanna-news.ukrinform.ua / BSANNA news / The Black Sea Association of National News Agencies / AGERPRES / May 13th, 2013
