Tourist orchards: an opportunity for sustainable development tourism in Romanian traditional fruit growing areas

• Author: Albu, R. G. - David, C. E.
• Position: Dept. of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brasov - Master School in Business Administration in Tourism, Transilvania University of Brasov
• Pages: 137-144

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Vol. 5 (54) •No. 1 - 2012

Series V: Economic Sciences

TOURIST ORCHARDS:

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT TOURISM IN ROMANIAN

TRADITIONAL FRUIT GROWING AREAS

R. G. ALBU1 C. E. DAVID2

Abstract: The Romanian traditional fruit growing areas are spaces that,

given the transition from a centralized economy to a market economy, have

accumulated multiple dysfunctions, whose solving requires the identification

of viable solutions, matching local potential and preserving traditional

specificity at the same time. The article analyzes how the tourist orchard

model, developed successfully in China could be implemented in Romanian

traditional fruit growing areas. Also the evolution of the Chinese tourist

orchard is presented, highlighting the stages of its development and paying

special attention to the current stage that witnesses the solid consolidation of

the extant niche of tourist orchards, as part of the Chinese tourism. This

consolidation has led to several large metropolitan areas (Beijing, Shanghai,

Guangzhou and Shenzhen) in China standing out on the international market.

Key words: sustainable development, tourist orchard, rural areas.

1 Dept. of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov.

2 Master School in Business Administration in Tourism, Transilvania University of Brasov.

1. Introduction

Tourist orchard is a new type of industry

organically linked to agricultural

production and tourism service. It is the

place for tourists to achieve recreation

activities. It has enhanced economic

efficiency through the fruit orchard

production and delivery of travel services.

The tourism development of the tourist

orchard is based on different elements:

location, economic base, the superior

agriculture industry, festive events,

community support, etc.

The tourist orchard is a combination of

tourism and orchard culture. This

comprehensive concept integrates

sightseeing, recreation, ecology, the local

economy and science popularization.

The development of tourist orchards

combines improvement of the fruit

industry, expansion of leisure time

activities in rural areas for urban citizens,

and the promotion of the local tourist

industry. With its tremendous multiplier

effect, it can boost the prosperity of local

economies. [9]

Tourist fruit picking has become an

important recreational activity in many

metropolitan areas from Asia.

The goal of this research is to understand

whether and how tourist orchard can be a

tool for rural development in a specific

area: the Romanian traditional fruit