Community-Defined Cultural and Ecological Tourism Framework: Potential Applications in Romania's Orastie Zone

Abstract

The intense tourism initiatives currently being implemented at the national level in Romania have the potential to rejuvenate the country's rural economies. Although the national goal to utilize tourism as an economic development strategy in rural areas is both viable and timely, it is crucial for the Romanian government to adopt sustainable rural tourism practices incorporating local community-identified needs and viewpoints relating to tourism development. This article elucidates one such attempt at identifying the needs and concerns of a cross-section of community stakeholders, from the Orastie region of Romania, regarding appropriate forms of tourism development in their community and surrounding areas. In early 2004, a series of community meetings and focus groups was held in Orastie, as part of an NGO-facilitated rural tourism consultation project for the region. Although the local governments and community members of the area were highly enthusiastic regarding Orastie's tourism potential, no clear guidance for sustainable tourism development was available until a tourism planning framework was developed by the consultation team. From this study, it may be inferred that, for successful sustainable rural tourism development to occur, it is vital for local governments to enhance local empowerment through involvement of community members in the tourism planning and decision-making process.

Cultural Tourism in Rural Areas: Mapping Research Trends Through Bibliometric and Content Analysis

“…emphasize the complicated relationship between perceived authenticity, destination image, satisfaction and loyalty, with visitors expectations playing a moderating role. In summary, these studies highlight the importance of perceived authenticity, sustainability, power dynamics and evolving place identities in shaping the tourist experience and image of rural destinations.The studies that form cluster 4 emphasize the central role of sustainable development in rural areas and underline the need for strategic management Sasidharan and Hall (2007). highlight the potential of cultural tourism initiatives to revitalize rural economies, but emphasize the need for sustainable development practices based on the engagement and empowerment of local communities Kastenholz et al (2018).…”