The future of tourism in the Danube Delta – 4* floating hotels designed by a Romanian naval architecture company

Mihai-Alexandru Cristea 08/10/2020 | 16:58

Flotel (floating hotel) is the newest trend in sustainable tourism and has the potential to become the new standard for tourism in the Danube Delta. GLO Marine, a Romanian naval architecture company, proposes two concepts of 4 * floating hotels for tour operators in the Danube Delta or other water areas in Romania.

 

The hotels are approximately 40m long and 9.5m wide and can accommodate up to 28 passengers and a permanent crew of 4 people. Both concepts have on the main deck 12 double rooms with private bathroom (16 sqm) and a two-room apartment for 4 passengers (36 sqm). All rooms have a balcony, smart furniture and consoles for controlling the lights, TV and air conditioning. There is a restaurant with a terrace on the intermediate deck, and a bar, two jacuzzis, sun loungers and a lounge area are on the outside. Whether you are looking for outdoor activities such as fishing, SUP, kayaking, or just want to relax, tourists who choose a floating hotel are guaranteed a memorable experience.

”GLO Marine concepts include the aesthetics and comfort of a 4 * hotel and offer an ideal space for a family or a group of friends looking to spend a holiday away from the crowds. Hotel design is naturally integrated with nature and we also thought about nature when we decided that these concepts will be sustainable – we included eco and sustainable materials, renewable energy, solar panels, waste management, etc. Moreover, to reduce the level of noise and emissions, we will offer buyers the hybrid propulsion variant. ”says Radu Procop, GLO Marine Marketing Director.

 

In recent years, tourism in the Danube Delta has had an upward trend.

In 2018, the tourist activity in the Danube Delta had a record increase by about 70% higher than in 2017 (while the increase recorded at the country level was 6%). In 2019, the figures maintained an overall increase of 2%, but with a decrease in the number of foreign tourists, probably caused by poor quality tourism.

The number of tourists accommodated in Tulcea County in the last 3 years,

according to the Danube Delta Tourist Destination Management Association:

  • 2019 – 147.735 Romanians + 20.677 foreigners = 168.412 people
  • 2018 – 142.333 Romanians + 25.722 foreigners = 168.055 people
  • 2017 – 76.284 Romanians + 24.146 foreigners = 100.430 people

With regard to floating hotels, there are currently 36 in the Danube Delta, with about 700 accommodation places. The oldest is 24 years old and the newest is 5 years old.

”Many of the existing hotels in the Danube Delta have poor reviews, a clear sign that their design does not meet the expectations of tourists in 2020, so there is a clear need for a new and fresh design. In addition, current technology allows the construction of a sustainable floating hotel at much lower prices than a few years ago and there are many opportunities for financing, through structural funds, for example. ” says Liviu Gălățanu, GLO Marine Commercial Director.

”These types of investments can be financed from the structural funds related to the period 2021 – 2027 to support the growth and development of the business environment. The aim of these funds is to help SMEs develop their infrastructure and services, to manage their resources efficiently, to make use of the potential for innovation and assimilation of technological progress in the context of smart specialization. The development of innovative projects will ensure a sustainable development of the business environment in Romania and beyond. This concept is also part of the proposed policy objectives at EU level in the field of promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment. ” says Angelica Manea, Director of the BDO Business Advisory Finance Division.

 

Factors leading to increased demand for flotels:

– more and more people are searching to change crowded holiday destinations with places as close to nature as possible and more secluded,

– more and more people are looking for more and more interesting and unique experiences: the location of a hotel on the water is something very attractive and spectacular,

– the floating hotel can be relocated, and tourists can see in this way a different landscape every day,

– anincrease in the income of the population,

– people are becoming more environmentally conscious and looking for sustainable accommodation solutions,

– technologies to make sustainable floating hotels have become much more accessible in recent years.

 

Sustainable features for floating hotels:

– They can be relocated as needed, which means that they do not affect the environment as a permanent construction would.

– They use renewable energy – solar, wind and geothermal.

– They have their own waste recycling systems.

– They are built of modules, with minimal impact on the environment.

BR Magazine | Latest Issue

Download PDF: Business Review Magazine March (II) 2024 Issue

The March (II) 2024 issue of Business Review Magazine is now available in digital format, featuring the main cover story titled “BAT DBS Romania Hub: A Vibrant New Office For An Employee-Centric
Mihai-Alexandru Cristea | 27/03/2024 | 17:32
Advertisement Advertisement
Close ×

We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure, personalising content and ads, providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used.

Accept & continue