This paper studies the long-run relationships between tourism expansion and economic growth in Romania during the period 1988–2009. The empirical evidence highlights the nature of causal relationships, if any, between domestic travel and tourism spending, internal travel and tourism consumption, the gross domestic product annual growth rate and the real exchange rate. The paper uses the cointegration method and Granger causality analysis based on the vector error correction model (VECM) and impulse functions. The findings suggest that there are Granger causality relationships running from tourism expansion to economic growth, which sustains the tourism-led growth hypothesis (TLGH). These results emphasize the need for more consistent tourism development plans and strategies to be implemented at national and regional levels by the governmental authorities.

This paper analysis the determinants of international tourism demand for

No abstract

Spa tourism is one of the oldest forms of tourism which continuously evolved in time as the leisure industry paradigm and the consumers' behavior changed. Similar to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, spa tourism is an old phenomenon in Romania which expanded to the dimensions of a well defined tourism industry during the mass tourism period which also corresponded to the communism epoch. Although severely affected by the major political and socio-economic changes which occurred after the Revolution in 1989, this industry coexists with new emergent forms of tourism orienting, itself towards new dimensions embraced by the contemporary leisure consumerism (e.g. medical tourism, cosmetic treatments). Lying on considerable balneal and climate resources and displaying an important communist heritage both in physical terms (large and massive tourism structures) and in virtual and psychological terms (social supportive ticket granting system), Romanian spa tourism faces various challenges in the attempt to adapt in a new tourism era.

No abstract

Heritage tourism entrepreneurship is related to the development of businesses in the field of heritage tourism, meaning businesses oriented towards the cultural heritage of the locations. In the 21 st century, businesses have to face enormous challenges, induced by globalization and emergence of new information and communication technologies. More than ever, businesses have to assess consumer preferences, being more aware not just of their physical needs, but also of their aspiration. Social media comes with new challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurship in terms of developing the marketing mix and addressing to the preferences of visitors in tourism destinations. Consumers are now present on social networks due to the Internet development and thus businesses have to move on the on-line environment in order to be more close to the market. The answer to the question "Is this also available for Romanian heritage tourism?" seems positive and the paper will emphasize the role of social media in supporting the development of heritage tourism entrepreneurship in Romania.

This paper analyses the factors influencing wages in the hotel and restaurant sector of Romania on the basis of a macroeconomic and regional analysis of gross investments and employment in the tourism industry. The authors constructed a pool data model to investigate the existing relationship between real wages, labour productivity and gross investments in the eight development regions of Romania during 1999–2007. The results may be useful to policy makers and professionals seeking to understand the mechanism of the tourism labour market in Romania and, further, to mobilize the labour force in the sector in order to obtain better results by using appropriate instruments adapted to domestic labour.

Abstract:Less approached by scientific literature, stakeholder perspective on the effects of climate change for tourism activities is a very actual topic. As an essential part of the complex study of climate -tourism relationship, it needs to be investigated and illustrated through study cases. The present paper approaches this original topic for Vatra Dornei complex spa and mountain resort. Located in the northern part of Romanian Carpathians this destination depends to a great extent on climate resources which show a clear variability of main parameters on which its outdoor activities are based. In this context the voice of stakeholders involved in the local tourism industry is of great importance to certify and illustrate previously obtained modelling evidences. The present paper consequently outlines the main results of a survey undertaken on the topic of climate change effects on tourism in Vatra Dornei in the attempt to better characterize this complex interrelationship.