In recent weeks, a series of good news has arrived: initiatives from Harghita County related to tourism, gastronomy, and local values have achieved outstanding results in prestigious national and international competitions.
These successes not only showcase the creativity, collaboration, and expertise of local communities but also strengthen the county’s growing tourism profile, continuously facilitated by the Harghita Community Development Association (Visit Harghita) under the support of the Harghita County Council.
The gastronomic gift package “Flavours of the Forest” from the Helyénvaló local store from Odorheiu-Secuiesc won the “Best Community Collaboration” award at the World Food Gift Challenge 2025, organized by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts, and Tourism (IGCAT).
The prestigious event took place on 9 May in Catania, Italy, where handcrafted food gifts from various gastronomy regions around the world were recognized. Local entrepreneurs from Harghita County, European Region of Gastronomy 2027, also entered several products in the competition. The international jury recognized the Helyénvaló Local project as a model of community collaboration, highlighting that it represents not only flavors but also values, traditions, and the power of local cooperation.
On 14 May at the SPA Romania Awards in Miercurea Ciuc, at the Fenyő Hotel, Harghita County received the Best SPA Destination award, however, this was only one of several achievements. Fenyő SPA won the Best SPA Experience award and the jury’s special prize for Best Signature SPA Ritual, Hotel Fenyő Conference & Spa received the Best HOTEL SPA award, and FONTANA Spa & Balneo in Borszék was awarded Best DAY SPA – SPA & Wellness for the whole family.
These recognitions further strengthen the county’s position in Romania’s wellness tourism sector, where mofettes, mineral-rich waters, and preserved natural environments offer visitors a unique experience.
The Taste of Transylvania gastro-festival won the Best Initiative Supporting Local Tourism award at the Top Hotel Awards Romania in Bucharest, confirming that gastronomic tourism is one of Harghita County’s strongest attractions. This is further reinforced by the county being awarded the European Region of Gastronomy 2027 title by IGCAT in February, joining the elite European regions with outstanding gastronomic heritage, sustainable food networks, and living cultural traditions.
The chefs of Kotyogó Restaurant in Lupeni won a prize at the Hungary’s Dish 2025 competition for a unique creation prepared exclusively from ingredients sourced within a 50-kilometer radius. The recipe will be presented at the Hungarian Parliament on 4 June during a Chefs’ Parade.
“Harghita County is excelling, whether through international recognition of local products, tourism and SPA awards, or the honor of becoming the European Region of Gastronomy in 2027. These achievements are the result of conscious, responsible work that opens immense opportunities for local entrepreneurs, innovators in sustainable gastronomy, and the entire county. I congratulate the awardees and thank the teams of the Harghita Community Development Association and Visit Harghita. Our goal remains to showcase Harghita County’s diverse, experience-rich tourism offerings and its varied gastronomy, while strengthening local communities, supporting sustainable development, and contributing to the preservation and promotion of the county’s economic and cultural values.”
— said Barna-Botond Bíró, President of the Harghita County Council.
Miercurea Ciuc, 15 May 2025
