Sergiu Manea
Mr. Sergiu Manea is President Institute of Tourism Moldova Chapter.
Sergiu Manea is President of Employers Association of Tourism Industry of the Republic of Moldova (APIT)
- Member, Economic Council under the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova
- Member, Advisory Council on Tourism under the Ministry of Culture
- Supervisory Board Member, National Tourism Office
- Ambassador of the City of Odesa to the Republic of Moldova
- Member, EU Pact for Skills – Skills Partnership for the Tourism Ecosystem
- Member, European Tourism Association (ETOA)
Visionary tourism strategist and industry leader with over 30 years of experience in tourism development, destination management, and international cooperation. As President of APIT, Sergiu Manea has played a key role in shaping national tourism policy, fostering partnerships, and promoting cross-border tourism. He also advocates for modernizing Moldova’s Tourism Law, creating a National Tourism Office and Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), and developing the Iași–Chișinău–Odesa Tourism Hub.
KEY INITIATIVES & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Policy Reform & Governance
- Contributor to amendments of the Tourism Law No. 352/2006 — advocating for a National Tourism Office and DMO structure.
- Strengthened public-private dialogue through APIT’s representation within the Prime Minister’s Economic Council.
- Regional & International Cooperation
- Initiated the Iași–Chișinău–Odesa Tourism Hub for cross-border promotion, cultural exchange, and connectivity.
- Appointed Ambassador of Odesa City Hall to Moldova (2024) — enhancing bilateral tourism and cultural ties.
- Led Moldovan delegations to Global Tourism Forum Brussels 2025, Aviation-Event SOF 2024, and EU Pact for Skills Working Groups.
- Infrastructure & Connectivity
- Advocate for regional connectivity projects — Tourist Train Program, Chișinău–Iași–Odesa Corridor, and Green Highway initiatives.
- Promoter of investment in hotel and mixed-use infrastructure, encouraging international PPP models.
- Education & Skills Development
- Promotes workforce upskilling through the EU Pact for Skills and partnerships with European institutions.
- Frequent lecturer and panelist on sustainable tourism, digital transformation, and destination competitiveness.
- Branding & Sustainability
- Pioneered Moldova’s shift from traditional promotion to data-driven storytelling and authentic experience marketing.
- Supports eco-tourism and community-based travel under the motto “Experience is the new itinerary.”
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Winemaking – Technical University of Moldova (1993 – 1998)
Master’s in International Economic Relations – Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Moldova (2002 – 2004)
Website: www.apit.md
