With the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), authorities have launched a tourist train on the Chișinău-Tiraspol route. The first trip took place on September 22 of this year.
Approximately 150 people, including guides, travel agents, and industry professionals, participated in the project.
”The purpose of this journey was to demonstrate the tourist potential on both banks of the Dniester River and to show that uniting efforts in the tourism sector can promote mutual understanding and cooperation among the residents of both banks. This tourist train not only expands tourism development opportunities but also helps bring people closer together, creating a space for cultural exchanges and interaction,” says Ivan Ganenco, leader of the Tourism Platform.
The guides designed the tourist itinerary to help them discover the most engaging locations on both banks of the Dniester River. They made their first stop at Tighina Fortress (Bender). From there, the tourists traveled to Tiraspol, where they visited the central park before returning to Chisinau by train.
”I found the tour well-organized, and the route was carefully planned. The tourists showed a strong interest in the region’s cultural and historical heritage and asked many questions. It shows that this travel format helps people better understand the culture on both sides of the Dniester. We must continue developing such projects that strengthen connections between the regions,” said Irina Ladaniuc, a tour guide.
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The tourists were impressed by their first chance to travel by train on the left bank.
”It was an amazing experience! I saw so many fascinating places that I hadn’t heard of before. The team organized the tour exceptionally well—comfortable transportation, interesting excursions, and the opportunity to try local cuisine. This train brings the two banks of the Dniester closer together, and we hope that more trips like this will be organized in the future,” says Lucia.
The Chisinau-Tiraspol-Chisinau train tour was the first of its kind, organized by the Tourism Platform with the support of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme. The EU program ”Confidence-Building Measures” helps foster trust between people on both banks of the Dniester by involving them in joint development projects.
