The online potential for the development of eco-certified accommodation units in Romania

• Author: Baltescu C. A., Boscor D.
• Pages: 149-156

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 8 (57) No. 2 - 2015

The online potential for the development of

eco-certified accommodation units in Romania

Codruţa Adina BLTESCU1, Dana BOŞCOR2

Abstract: The Internet and electronic communication have generated significant changes in

the marketing strategies of accommodation units. On the other hand, sustainable

development is a goal which requires concrete actions and changed mentalities. In Romania

operates a number of eco-certified accommodation units. The online tools allow them to

communicate the advantages and benefits of the sustainable services, and also to obtain a

quick feedback from the consumers. This paper highlights the extent to which eco-certified

accommodation units in our country offer relevant information to potential consumers and

analyzes the online reviews regarding the eco-certified accommodation services.

Key-words: eco-certified accommodation units, hotel websites, online reviews

1. Introduction

The importance of high environmental quality for the development of tourism was

acknowledged by the WTO in the late 1970s with the establishment of the

Environmental Committee. Following the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which identified

tourism as one of the priority areas for sustainable development, the green

movements within the hotel industry gained momentum and recognition. Hotel and

tourism organizations and hotel companies are developing environmental guidelines,

training programs and publishing best practice case studies (IH&RA et al. 1995;

UNEP and IH&RA, 1997).

The European eco-label system was implemented by Regulation (EEC) no.

880/1992 and altered by Regulation (EC) no. 1980/2000 of the European Parliament

and of the Council on the revised EU scheme on the award of eco-label. As

regarding the eco-label for accommodation services, the applicable legislation

consists of Decision of European Commission no. 287/2003/EC on setting out the

ecologic criteria for awarding the Community eco-label to the accommodation

services for tourists, and Decision of the Government of Romania no.1855/2005 on

setting out the criteria for awarding the eco-label to accommodation services for

1 Transilvania University of Braşov, codruta.baltescu@unitbv.ro

2 Transilvania University of Braşov, dana.boscor@unitbv.ro