Magic mountains ... The Carpathian Mountains in eastern Europe. Photograph: Fiona Borthwick

Tourism in the nature-rich Carpathian Mountains could be the economic salvation of one of the continent's poorest regions - provided its environmental impact is properly managed, writes Fiona Borthwick

With the 2004 EU enlargement and the imminent accession of Romania and Bulgaria, Eastern Europe is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination - especially given the plethora of budget flight connections.

One major attraction in the region are the Carpathian Mountains, which some believe have the capacity to become the new Alps. Not only are they bigger than their more westerly counterpart, they also contain a greater biodiversity, including large carnivores such as bears, wolves and lynx.

Those concerned with sustainable tourism see the potential of the Carpathians as both an opportunity and a threat. It is undeniable that the region, one of the poorest in Europe, desperately needs the revenue that an influx of visitors would bring, yet there are also concerns about the negative aspects of tourism experienced in other mountain areas.

Thankfully, there are an ever-increasing number of NGOs, international organisations and businesses working to encourage environmentally friendly development in the region. The World Wide Fund for Nature is increasingly active, with initiatives such as its Danube and Carpathian Programme (DCP), which includes a number of projects aimed at encouraging traditional agricultural practices and conservation.

Another major driving force in terms of sustainable tourism will be the newly ratified 'Carpathian Convention'. Based on the relatively successful 'Alpine Convention', this is essentially a series of international guidelines for sectors such as transport, planning and agriculture, as well as tourism, aimed at encouraging the development of the region as a whole without harming its unique ecology.

Sustainable tourist options in the Carpathians are growing, and the sector will no doubt be boosted further by the DCP's plans to produce a 'Sustainable Business Opportunities in the Carpathians' report, offering guidelines to local and international businesses wanting to set up in the region.

While the effects of Communism are still evident - especially in the rusting remains of ill-conceived industries surrounding most large towns - the Carpathian region is, without doubt, one of the most naturally interesting in Europe. It is also an area whose people are full of hope. With effort and encouragement, sustainable tourism can translate those hopes into a brighter, cleaner future for everyone who lives there.

• If you are planning a trip to the Carpathian region, visit the Carpathian Convention and the WWF Danube Carpathian Programme websites for information on how to enjoy the region while limiting the negative impact of doing so.

• Fiona Borthwick is an environmental science researcher at the Central European University, Budapest.