Experiences of community-based tourism in Romania: chances and challenges
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse community-based tourism (CBT) initiatives in the postsocialist
rural Romania in terms of the holism of the tourist project and the implementation of the local
participation. The paper focusses on chances and challenges of CBT.
Design/methodology/approach – Once the main objective was established, three research interests arose:
Howandwhy tourismplayed a significant role in the economic and social development of the rural local community?
How has the local community participated in the starting and maintenance of the CBT projects and who played a
key part? How can the level of success of the CBT implementations be qualitatively measured? Qualitative
methodologies (interviews, on-site observations, informal discussions)were applied to survey the four case studies.
Findings – Natural and cultural features ensure a versatile potential for touristic exploitation of the
Romanian rural area, but the villages are endangered by post-socialist economic and social transformations.
Innovative approaches of CBT in rural areas ignited by charismatic leaders with entrepreneurial spirit
develop based on the existent social, natural and cultural capital, but on the other hand, endeavours can be
vulnerable because of hindering local municipalities or sustainability issues.
Practical implications – The findings facilitate recommendations in favour of effective CBT ventures.
Originality/value – Learning about the contribution of CBT to a sustainable development of rural regions
with no/little tradition of private entrepreneurship can contribute to the revitalization of rural areas facing
post-socialist challenges.
Description
Journal of Tourism Analysis: Vol. 27 No. 2, 2020 pp. 143-163
Keywords
Community-based tourism, Participative development, Rural Romania