Opinions on the main elements to be considered potential assessment models in tourism

• Author: Albu R.G., Cimpean R.
• Pages: 69-78

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 10 (59) No. 1 - 2017

Opinions on the main elements to be considered in

potential assessment models in tourism

Ruxandra-Gabriela ALBU1, Radu CÎMPEAN2

Abstract: The proper assessment of the tourism potential is an essential condition for

choosing the most appropriate development directions for tourism destinations. The

reference literature presen ts several options for the assessment of the tourism poten tial,

individualized depending on the importance given to elements being considered in the

assessment models. The key problem in grounding a potential assessment method in tourism

is to determine the main factors to be considered and the share due to each one, the

distribution schemes of the scores corresponding to different factors, respectively.

This paper brings forward an updated version of a potential assessment model in tourism,

proposed in 2005, in line with the transformations in the general environment of tourism

destinations (political and legal environment, socio-cultural environment, economic and

technological environment), which occurred during the 11 years passed since the initial

presentation of the model.

Key-words: tourism resources, tourist attraction, tourism potential, potential assessment

model in tourism

1. Introduction

The reference literature in tourism uses different acceptations of the concepts of

tourism potential and tourist patrimony. In a very broad sense, the tourism potential

of a territory may be defined as „the set of natural, cultural, historical, economic and

social components, scientifically recognized from quantity and quality perspectives,

proven into practice, which show the potential of tourism capitalization and have a

certain functionality for tourism” (Glăvan, 1995, p. 52).

A certain region becomes touristically interesting when it provides tourism

with natural and anthropic resources, which, through capitalization, following

certain technical arrangements, and by taking into account the environment, may be

included in the tourist circuit and determine a tourism activity. Tourism potential

research, just like tourism in general, needs an interdisciplinary approach of research

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, ruxandra.albu@unitbv.ro

2 Transilvania University of Braşov, cimpeanradu.brasov@yahoo.com