After it’s three previous editions in 2003, 2005, and 2007, the upcoming  4th European Congress on Rural Tourism 2012  will be a new opportunity to learn about latest trends and obtain first-hand information on this extremely varied activity in Europe. It will take place on  8th and 9th of October, 2012  in the picturesque  Neamţ county  in the east of Romania.

Organized under the patronage of   EuroGites - European Federation of Rural Tourism  by its Romanian member organisation  ANTREC, this congress offers a unique opportunity to discuss matters of actuality that affect our sector under the general leitmotiv

 "Innovative Tourism - New Life for Rural Areas"

Official Patronage of this event is also granted from the  European Commission and  UNWTO-World Tourism Organisation (tbc).

The objective of this Congress is to provide a meeting point and discussion forum for the Rural Tourism Entrepreneur, for public and private authorities, and for any other professional involved in rural tourism.  After consulting with 30 regional and national Rural Tourism organisations, it was decided that this year's Congress will focus on the following aspects in a one-day Plenary Session on  8-October:

They will be presented and dealt with in a very practical way, giving preference to hands-on experience from different countries and regions.

The following day is organised around  Thematic Products in Rural Tourism.  Participants can chose amongst four different  Thematic Field trips that will integrate a two-hour workshop with hands-on visits to relate resources in the Neamt province:

• Cultural heritage
  
• Natural resources
• Greenways
• tbd

Representatives of Rural Accommodation and Rural Tourism Organisations from countries all over the world are expected to participate.  The aim is to break the previous record, set up by the 1st European Congress on Rural Tourism in 2003 with 35 countries.

The days before the Congress (from 5 to 7-October), an optional  2-day Study Tour itinerary  starting from Bucarest will be available at very competitive rate.

For the days after the Congress, individual trips to the beautiful east of Rumania can be prepared on request by our cooperating travel agency.

The official languages are  English and Romanian,  simultaneous translation into other languages may be provided depending on confirmed registrations.