We have so many mans in Oltenia that collapses
The journalist and producer of British film Charley Ottley still believes in the chance of ‘Oltenia below the mountain’ to become a UNESCO Geopark, even though some mayors in the area opposed this project initiated by the Kogayon Association.
The British assumed the role of ambassador of the area and promotes it as a tourist destination both through the Documentation series ‘Flavours of Romania’ and by participating in various meetings with the people interested in the development of tourism in the region.
‘Oltenia is, in a way, a destination like Transylvania. It is Transylvania South and we have so many things here, in the south of the Carpathians, we have so much culture, we have Brancusi, we had a lot of history, we have all these mansions and monasteries, Dacian fortresses and fortresses. There are so many stories and legends about the haiduces that were hiding in the mountains, we also have waterfalls, wonderful landscapes, a great biodiversity. Everything is here, but we have to start protecting them and promoting them, ‘said, for Agerpresthe British journalist, these days in Băile Govora at a forum on the tourism in Oltenia, organized by the promoters of the ‘Oltenia under mountain’ area.
At the same time, Ottley stressed that measures are needed to protect the natural and cultural heritage in this area from the local public authorities, given that the development of a tourist resort is expected at the top of Roman, belonging to the city of Horezu, on the model of Rânca.
‘I think everyone agrees that Rânca is not a good example of tourist development. That is, it is a bleak image for those who transit Transalpina and I wonder why someone would like another area. What we should do is focus on the existing architecture, restore the old buildings and try to enhance people in these communities. To help them improve their services offered and support them to attract more tourists in the area, not only to see the monasteries, old houses or buy ceramics from the roadside and then go elsewhere. They want to stay and have where to eat, in old places, restored mansions. We have so many mansions in Oltenia that collapse, but it seems to me that people are not interested in these old houses, but they want new, monstrous constructions, in virgin areas, instead of focusing on the existing heritage. Cultural tourism is the way to make money, cultural tourism is the future for areas like Horezu and Costești, as is tourism in nature. But we allow the old constructions to fall and vandalize nature by lifting new, monstrous constructions. So, we must proceed otherwise for the good of these communities. This is also the reason why I agreed to be the ambassador of ‘Oltenia below the mountain’, because an international geopark brings money into the people’s pockets, helps the villagers open pensions, local gastronomic points, organize hiking, horses, mountain bike and everything that can get in nature. A private investment at the top of the mountain, besides the fact that it destroys nature, brings money only in the pockets directly involved, « said Otley, dissatisfied with the mayors who went to the UNESCO representatives and opposed the establishment of the Geopark.
However, the British journalist continues to believe in the chance of this area, which covers an area of about 600 square kilometers on the territory of six localities in Vâlcea county (Vaideeni, Horezu, Costești, Bărbătești, Stoenești and Băile Olănești), to become the international network. steps in this regard.
‘Geopark goes before as a UNESCO aspiring geopark project. At the evaluation of last year, we went, to our delight, that we are good at all the criteria, less to support the local public authorities. We continue to see each other of our activity until they are prepared to join us and reapply. The documentation is made, and we are practically only re -submit it, that is, the administrative process of applying to become geoparc is resumed. So, when all the planets are aligned, the missing planet being the local public administration, things are a formality that will be resolved quickly. Much more important than obtaining the status of UNESCO geoparc is what we do to get there, because we become a UNESCO geoparc we have to learn to work together, we have to develop the infrastructure, we have to promote ourselves, we have to take care of the heritage, we must do education, we have to research, Stoican.
At the first regional edition of the Oltenia Travel Forum, which takes place these days in the Băile Govora resort, approximately 60 people from all five counties of Oltenia (Dolj, Olt, Mehedinti, Gorj and Vâlcea), from pensions and hotels and to the tourism agencies, and to the field, to the field, to the field, region.
