The equestrian tourism is a growing and developing branch of recreational and ecological tourism, combining nature thoughtfulness and beyond-words impressions, as it brings a vacationer back to the ages of valorous knights and fearless musketeers. Horse riding, alien to our civilized life in large cities, was a natural way of transportation and entertainment during our medieval and even later history. The equestrian tourism business, organized in some rural, remote and beautiful locations with unbelievable landscapes and exceptional wildlife, brings medieval traditions back, offering the horseback riding and other recreational activities. Not only a professional horseback rider can head for equestrian holidays, but anyone else, wishing to receive professional instructions and training.

There are equestrian tourist packages for families, professionals and absolute beginners.

The need for highly professional instructors and assistants, as well as for a equestrian tourism promotion, has resulted in a number of requirements for both owners and employers in any equestrian tourism business. For the sake of equestrian tourism development and popularity growth as a highly recreational and nature preserving type of tourism, each vacationer is guaranteed safety, a qualified training and practice, as well some professional advice and any assistance needed. For instance, major riding establishments and associations in Great Britain and Ireland have developed qualifications and examinations for those, working in the equestrian tourism industry and taking part in treks, trail rides or hacks to provide a competent instruction and coordination for equestrian tourists. These qualifications are also important to provide the industry with relevant and recognized standards.

The other countries have similar practices as well. Julian Ross, an owner of a relatively new riding center in Transylvania, Romania, is a founding member of the Romanian National Committee for Equestrian Tourism. He is the author of three books, including ?Travels in an Unknown Country? (describing a ride across Romania in 1994), licensed by the Romanian Ministry of Tourism as a specialized equestrian guide, and he is the only non-Romanian to own this qualification. His wife Kelli is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the Long Riders? Guild. She is an experienced practitioner of natural horsemanship techniques and studied the methods of Pat Parelli and others in the US.

The role of equestrian tourism cannot be overestimated in each country's tourism industry in terms of its recreational impact and health-healing effects, environment-conscious education and nature preservation. Normally, each equestrian tourism establishment has a policy of recycling and sustainability and reducing a consumption of the recourses, which is a highly significant factor, determining a local resources protection and preservation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to promote the equestrian tourism as a fine alternative to other types of travel, polluting air, water and soil resources.