An analysis of the cultural tourism development in Romania

• Author: Baltescu, C. A. - Boscor, D.
• Position: Dept. of Marketing, Tourism and International Relations, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 115-120

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 6 (55) •No. 2 - 2013

Series V: Economic Sciences

AN ANALYSIS OF THE CULTURAL

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA

C. A. BLTESCU

1 D. BOŞCOR1

Abstract: The ar ticle a ims to identify the premises and records of the cultural

tourism development in Roma nia. The steady internationa l efforts for

supporting cultural tourism are perceived at national and local level. The

article highlights the steps taken for the recognition of the Romanian cultur al

tourism by the specialized public institu tions and by private companies. Also,

a global a ssessmen t is a chieved of the offers for practising and developing

cultural to urism in our country.

Key words: cultural tour ism, cultural herita ge, cultural routes.

1. Introduction

Cultural tourism is one of the oldest types

of tourism and continues to represent an

essential direction for the development of

world tourism [31]. The European cultural

heritage is the oldest and most important

force generating the tourism phenomenon

[36], and the cultural tourism is recognized

as a pole of tourism attractiveness in Europe

[28], becoming one of the most popular

types of tourism [7]. In Europe, a 40% share

of cultural tourism is estimated in the

tourism field as a whole [42].

2. Theoretical issues regarding the

development of cultural tourism

In the first period of the ‘90s, the research

studies regarding cultural tourism were

numerous and underlined the inextricable

links between tourism and cultural heritage,

starting from the idea that heritage is the

driving force of tourism activities’

development [28]. Cultural tourism

includes visits to cultural attractions, such

as heritage sites, artistic and cultural events

and activities outside visitors’ residence

1 Dept. of Marketing, Tourism and International Relations, Transilvania University of Braşov.

area [5]. Analysts focused on the cultural

attractions („new consumption cathedrals”)

located in urban and rural areas [33], and

the spread of investments in order to

increase the cultural attractiveness of

destinations has driven the literature to

show the issues regarding the development

of theme products and the marketing of

cultural tourism [24]. Also, concerns have

increased regarding the highlighting of the

role of visitors’ experience in the analysis

of tourism field and involving tourism

destinations for a better use of cultural

resources as an element of developing

travel experiences [29].

Specialized literature has lately focused

on the qualitative aspects of the travel

experience among tourists and on the local

communities visited [31], as well as on the

genuineness of the elements which make

the travel experience [15], [3], [39].

Authors have also underlined the influence

of cultural tourism development on the

improvement of the negative effects of

tourism seasonality [9].