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ABOUT US
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Strengthening the Role of the Private
Sector in Romania
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The Tourism for Today and Tomorrow (T-3)
Coalition was founded in January of 2001 by eleven business
associations representing the tourism sector in Romania.
With support from the Center for International Private Enterprise
and the United States Agency for International Development,
the coalition sponsored a series of round table discussions
out of which it identified the most important issues facing
the development of tourism. The Coalition then developed
a legislative policy manual designed to address these issues.
This document outlined specific proposals for consideration
by the Government of Romania relative to rejuvenating Romania's
once strong tourism industry.
In order to build support for this agenda,
members of the Coalition took part in the Open Doors Campaign
National Advocacy Tour. Business associations in the tourism,
information technology and manufacturing sectors coordinated
this tour as a way to gain grassroots support for private
sector initiatives. In addition, the T-3 Coalition participated
in a business association-led effort called Advocacy Days,
which brought 125 delegates to Bucharest for a two day event.
Because of these efforts and others, the Coalition has achieved
success, with two of its five legislative initiatives for
2001 being adopted by the Romanian government.
Through the Coalition's efforts, the
government authorized the establishment of regional tourism
promotion bureaus, the first of which was founded in the
Bucovina Region. In addition, the Coalition fought against
tax increases on foreign tourists, support passage of a
locally collected lodging tax, and supported efforts to
make the Romanian Black Sea coast more environmentally and
aesthetically appealing.
The T-3 Coalition will remain active
in the policy arena, but it is also involved in the creation
of investment and joint venture opportunities. The Discover
Romania Tourism Portal is its first initiative. Implemented
in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, the Center
for International Private Enterprise and the United States
Agency for International Development, the portal will serve
as a one-stop-shop for potential investment and joint venture
partners. The end result will be to establish Romania as
a diverse, affordable and safe destination for any age traveler.
For more information on the activities
of the T-3 Coalition, please contact Cristina Grecu at cgrecu@cipe.org.
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