Nature Recovery Drives Business Growth in Romania's Southern Carpathians

A new loan from Rewilding Europe Capital is set to help a Romanian guesthouse expand its capacity, supporting the growth of nature-based tourism in the region.

The loan, worth 60,000 euros, will enable the owner of Casa Sub Măgrin, a traditional Romanian-style accommodation, to double the capacity of the property to eight guests. The guesthouse is located in the Southern Carpathian mountains, close to the reintroduction site for European bison.

Overhunting and habitat loss led to the disappearance of European bison from Romania's Southern Carpathians more than 200 years ago. However, the successful return of this iconic species has transformed the landscape into an increasingly attractive destination for wildlife tourism.

The Rewilding Europe Capital loan will help finance the renovation of an existing building on the site, as well as the installation of solar panels to reduce operating costs and improve the environmental sustainability of the business.

## Creating More Space for Visitors

The expansion of Casa Sub Măgrin is part of a growing trend of nature-based tourism in the Southern Carpathians. The region's unique wildlife and natural beauty are attracting visitors from around the world, creating new revenue streams for local businesses and communities.

The European bison reintroduction programme, which began in 2014, has seen the population of the largest free-roaming bison in Romania grow to over 250 animals, with over half born in the wild. This has created new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, such as Mihai Miculescu, the owner of Casa Sub Măgrin.

## The Economic Benefits of Nature Recovery

The growth of nature-based tourism in the Southern Carpathians is not only creating new revenue streams for local businesses, but also supporting the local economy. By attracting visitors and supporting local livelihoods, recovering nature is helping build a thriving, nature-positive economy in the region.

The Rewilding Europe Capital loan is part of a broader approach to supporting local communities and businesses in the region. The organisation is working to create a dedicated source of funding for coexistence between local communities and the growing bison population, through the Bison Coexistence Fund.

## Building a Stronger Nature-Based Tourism Destination

The expansion of Casa Sub Măgrin is also part of a growing accommodation cluster in the Southern Carpathians, which includes Retezat 83 and WeWilder. These businesses are creating a wider choice of places to stay for visitors, and helping to build the critical mass needed for the area to become recognised as a nature-based tourism destination.

The Rewilding Romania team has been working closely with local entrepreneurs, such as Mihai Miculescu, to support the growth of nature-based tourism in the region. The team has established a growing local enterprise network, which includes Casa Sub Măgrin, and is working to create new opportunities for local businesses and communities.

## Finance that Helps Nature-Positive Businesses Grow

The Rewilding Europe Capital loan is designed to support nature-positive businesses, such as Casa Sub Măgrin, which are working to reduce their environmental impact and support local communities. The loan is part of a broader approach to supporting local businesses and communities in the region.

If you are a European entrepreneur or organisation with a desire to follow in Mihai's footsteps, Rewilding Europe Capital may be able to help you realise your ambition. For more information, please contact Daniel Veríssimo.