Ecotourism development in Romania - a possible contribution to the fulfilment of the real convergence criteria for euro adoption

• Author: Candrea, A.
• Position: Dept. of Marketing, Tourism and International Relations, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 89-96

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 6 (55) •No. 1 - 2013

Series V: Economic Sciences

ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN

ROMANIA - A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION

TO THE FULFILMENT OF

THE REAL CONVERGENCE CRITERIA

FOR EURO ADOPTION

Adina Nicoleta CANDREA

1

Abstract: Ecotourism is a chance to diversify the Romania n tourism

industry while pr otecting the environment and benefiting local communities.

The present paper focuses on ecotourism as a possible contribution the

fulfilment of the real convergence criter ia for euro a doption in Romania by

stimulating the economic growth of rural communities. The main benefits

that ecotourism br ings to rural communities are highlighted as well as the

main initiatives of nationa l organisations a imed at stimulating the local

economy in different ecotourism destinations.

Key words: ecotourism, local communities, euro a doption, rea l

convergence.

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

1. Introduction

Travel & Tourism has the potential to

become an important export sector in

Romania and to provide jobs and economic

growth for the country’s vast rural

population. It possesses the inherent ability

to diversify Romania’s economy, to

stimulate entrepreneurship – particularly

among small and medium-sized enterprises

(SMEs) – catalyze investment, create large

numbers of sustainable jobs, and help

social development in local communities

(WTTC, 2006). In addition, if managed

effectively, Travel & Tourism can be an

important catalyst for the development of

other economic sectors within Romania,

such as manufacturing, construction and

the service industries. It can also help to

conserve the country’s primary assets,

namely its natural and cultural

environments, which have in the past been

largely unrecognized and unprotected.

However, in order to assure a balanced

tourism development focused on the

conservation of the natural and cultural

tourism potential, there should be a

national focus on sustainable types of

tourism. Ecotourism is considered such a

sustainable type of tourism as it is based on

the appreciation of the natural tourism

assets, while stimulating nature

conservation and benefiting local

communities.

Ecotourism has been defined as

environmentally responsible, enlightening

travel and visitation to relatively

undisturbed natural areas in order to enjoy

and appreciate nature (and any