CHAPTER I

THEORETICAL CONCEPTS REGARDING THE TOURISM ACTIVITY

1.1. Fundamental approaches to tourism notions

Tourism has acquired a major importance in the contemporary period and thus has increased
people's interest in the complete and accurate definition of this phenomenon. This addresses wide social
segments and responds to their needs, thus detaching itself through a high dynamism at national and
international level. Over the years, the content of this notion of tourism has been continuously enriched
and modified, and since the beginning of our century it has acquired an overall form of human actions
that define travel.

Tourism is a human activity that can not be conceived without anthropogenic factors, man being
the essential element in this activity, achieving through him and for him, the entire suite of components of
this phenomenon, but in turn including fully motivations and activities recreational and recuperative. This
type of specific human activity is obviously addressed to people around the world of different ages,
professions, cultures or social conditions.

Tourism is an economic-social phenomenon typical of modern civilization, strongly anchored in

the life of society and, as such, in an interconditional relationship with it. Thus, the tendencies registered
in the evolution of the world economy, both the positive ones expressed by the increase of production
and, on this basis, of the general prosperity, of intensification of the international exchanges and the
enlargement of the cooperation between states, of industrialization and tertiarization of economic
recession, the spread of poverty and unemployment, inflation, environmental deterioration have
quantitatively and structurally influenced the tourist activity, stimulating travel and diversifying their
spatial orientation.

The concept of tourism came after the concept of tourist, which comes from the English
transcription of the French word "tour" which was used in England in the eighteenth century. "The Tour"
at the time included a study trip for cultural discoveries made in Europe by young English aristocrats.

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) has defined the notion of tourism as the activities
carried out by people, during travel and stays, in places located outside their usual residence, for a
consecutive period not exceeding one year (12 months), in order for leisure, business or other reasons.
 The World Tourism Organization (WTO) defines the tourist as "any person who is in another
country or in another place, located in his country of residence, other than that corresponding to his usual
residence and for which the main reason for the visit is other than to exercise a remunerated activity at the
place of his visit ”.

"The Explanatory Dictionary of the Romanian Language" (Ed. Ştiinţifică, Bucureşti, 1989, pag.
981) proposes the following definition: "Tourism is an activity with a recreational or sports character,
consisting in walking or using different means of transport of some picturesque or interesting regions
from a certain point of view."

By the term tourism we mean, first of all, that it is a set of activities through which people spend
their free time, traveling to places and countries different from the place of residence to visit and to enrich
their knowledge, for fun and recreation, rest or treatment.

The tourism potential is a very important indicator and includes all the attraction factors that
belong to the natural and anthropic environment and that generate tourist flows with areas of domestic or
international origin that move to areas of tourist destination.

Eduard Guyer-Freuler defined tourism in 1880 as "a phenomenon of our times based on the
growing need to restore health and change the environment, on the emergence and development of a
sense of receptivity to the beauties of nature."

Edmond Picard in 1910 saw the tourist phenomenon not only as an "activity whose object is to
satisfy the needs of tourists" but also "the set of economic bodies that come into contact with the
movement of domestic and foreign tourists."

Walter Hunziker in 1940 was noted for the most important definition of tourism which defined
this term as "the set of relationships and phenomena resulting from the movement and stay of persons
outside the place of residence, as long as the movement and stay are not motivated by a permanent
establishment or any lucrative activity ".

Claude Kaspar in 1981, out of the desire to introduce in the concept of tourism and business trips,
defined tourism as "the set of relationships and facts consisting of the movement and stay of people for
whom the place of stay is neither home nor main place of activity professional ".

Tourism represents through its content and role, a phenomenon characteristic of today's
civilization, one of the major components of economic and social life that polarizes the interest of a
growing number of countries. Receptive to the transformations of the contemporary world, tourism
evolves under their incidence, its dynamics being integrated into the general development process. In
turn, through the vast human and material potential it entails in its development, as well as through the
beneficial effects on the fields with which it interferes, tourism acts as a stimulating factor of progress.

Depending on a given country, according to EUROSTAT definitions, three elementary forms of

tourism can be distinguished:

a. Domestic tourism includes the activities of residents of a country who travel only within that
country, but outside their usual residence.
b. Inbound tourism comprises the activities of non-residents traveling in a given country other than
that where they are habitually resident.
c. Outbound tourism comprises the activities of residents of a given country, traveling and spend
stays in a country other than where they have their usual residence.

Tourist demand represents the ensemble of persons who express their desire to move periodically
outside the place of residence, for other reasons than the performance of remunerated activities at the
place of destination.

Tourist offer represents all natural and anthropic tourist resources and attractions that can
motivate the movement of tourists and of the equipment, labor force and tourist products destined to
capitalize and satisfy the demand.

The tourism industry is that part of the economy, made up of a number of activities or several
branches whose common function is to meet the needs of tourists.

The tourism infrastructure or the technical-material base is made up of all the technical and urban
endowments necessary to ensure all the services required for the good development of the tourist
phenomenon.

The tourist activity can be structured as follows:

 depending on the origin of the tourists, two types can be distinguished: domestic tourism and
international tourism;
 depending on the way the tourist service is provided, there are: organized tourism, unorganized
tourism and semi-organized tourism;
 depending on the tourist motivation we can identify the following: leisure, cultural, business, spa
tourism and others;
 depending on the tourist destination we have: mountain, seaside and itinerant tourism.

(Prof. Dr. Niță, 2019, pp. 20-21)

 “The geographical component of the tourist phenomenon involves not only the movement of
travelers in space, but also the location and characteristics of resources and tourism infrastructure, the
presence and interconnection of natural, socio-economic and ecological factors of tourism development in
areas generating and receiving tourists.” (Bacal, Cocoș, 2012, p.7)

“The social component includes the numerical strength and the demographic structure, especially
according to the age groups, the style and the way of life, the free time, the individual and group
preferences of the potential tourists.” (Bacal, Cocoș, 2012, p.7)

“The economic component is of paramount importance, because tourism is, first of all, a complex
and heterogeneous economic activity, attributed to the category of services, but which maintains mutually
advantageous functional relations with agricultural and industrial branches, transport and communications
services, medical services, social and insurance.” (Bacal, Cocoș, 2012, p.7)

1.2. Tourism economy and the role of tourism in economy

As the population has increased considerably in most countries, and the influence of distance-
time factors has been significantly diminished by modernizing the means of transport, tourism has
experienced an unprecedented "explosion", being one of the most remarkable features of the
contemporary era.

Tourism is an economic and social phenomenon specific to modern civilization, strongly

anchored in the life of society, and as such, influenced by its evolution. Through its mass character and
complete content, tourism involves a vast material and human potential, with important implications on
the evolution of the economy and society, on international relations.

“Research on the role of tourism has shown that it has a considerable impact on the economies of
societies and cultures of different countries. Its action manifests itself on multiple levels: economic,
social, cultural, political; the intensity of these actions differs from one country to another depending on
its level of development and the policy promoted towards it.” (Turcu, Weisz, 2008, p. 9)

a) “The direct economic role of tourism is highlighted by the contribution of tourism to GDP growth
and national income due to the increase in tourism revenues, the contribution of international
tourism to rebalancing the trade balance of payments, the contribution to capitalization of
resources and the contribution to increasing prosperity.”
 b) “The indirect economic role of tourism is given by the fact that the development of other
branches of the national economy is determined by the development of tourism.”
c) “The social role of tourism is represented by the contribution of tourism to the creation of new
jobs, to the emergence of new jobs and the reduction of unemployment and to the restoration of
people's physical and mental capacity.”
d) “The cultural and educational role involves the assimilation of new information and knowledge
on different topics, and contact with people from areas with a high cultural level can have
positive effects on the traveling population.”
e) “The political role contributes to the promotion of a better understanding between peoples
belonging to different cultures.”
(Turcu, Weisz, 2008, pp. 9-10)
Currently, tourism is among the most important components of the world economy, participating
with almost 12% in the gross world product, with about 11% in employment, being the most important
chapter of international trade and mobilizing about 11% from the consumption expenditures of the
population. The negative effects generated by the uncontrolled development of tourism, especially on the
social and environmental levels, cannot be ignored, even if tourism is often seen as a harmless form of
industrial development compared to other industries. (Popescu, 2003, p. 27)

As it is known, tourism is considered one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy, with an
always ascending evolution, due to the place and the role fulfilled in its development. According to World
Tourism Organization statistics, tourism is currently one of the world's leading industries, number one in
the world in terms of employment (over 6.5% of the world's employed population) and would rank 2-3 in
world export hierarchy (by oil industry and machine building industry). (Niță, 2019, p. 7)

Our country has a remarkable tourist vocation. We have important tourist resources, materialized
in the existence of a varied geographical space, combined with valuable historical and art creations and
with a special balneotherapeutic potential of the earth. The efficient capitalization of these tourist
resources in the interest of the national economy can be a chance for Romania's development. The
tourism potential is huge, but only partially capitalized. We say this because of the modest economic
performance compared to the very large international competitive advantage. For example, in terms of the
impact of tourism on the economy, the 2018 World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC) report places
Romania ranked 66th in the world in terms of the value of the absolute direct contribution of tourism to
GDP, far from the average European Union and global media. (Niță, 2019, p. 8)

Considered as a socio-economic phenomenon, creator of important benefits, tourism was defined

in the most varied variants: “the art of traveling for one's own pleasure” (M. Peyromarre Debord);
"Leisure activity which consists in traveling or living far from the place of residence, for fun, rest,
enrichment of experience and culture, due to the knowledge of new human aspects and unknown
landscapes" (Jan Medicin); "The set of relationships and phenomena resulting from the movement and
stay of people outside their home" (E. Hunziker); and so on According to the World Tourism
Organization (O.M.T.), tourism is conceived as "a form of cultural-educational and recreational
manifestations of modern society."

We can fully speak today of a real tourism industry which, in general, includes the activity of
hotel and catering companies, the activity of companies dealing with tourist transport, as well as the
activity of all agencies and associations whose object of activity. their preparation, promotion and
realization of tourist services.

“The dynamism, depth and magnitude of transformations in all areas of economic and social life -
as defining features of contemporary evolution - are reflected in, among other things, resources and
increase efficiency, with the demands of improving the quality of life.” (Minciu Rodica, 2001, p. 9)

Tourism contributes to the superior capitalization of resources or to the development of areas less
rich in resources capable of ensuring the development of enterprises or manufacturing industries, but rich
in natural or anthropic tourist resources. (Istrate, Bran, Roşu, 1996, p. 44)

In this context, tourism manifests itself as a distinct component of the economy, with an
increasingly active presence in economic and social life, with a significant participation in general
progress and last but not least, as a promoter of globalization and a factor of sustainable development.
Tourism is today one of the most dynamic economic branches in the world. It is something that tourism
organizations, governments, professional associations and even tourists themselves have already
understood. (Țigu, Gabriela, 2003, p. 7)

1.3. Description and typology of the tourism forms

The form of tourism can be defined by the concrete aspect of the association / combination of
services (transport, accommodation, food, leisure) that make up the tourist product, as well as the way of
marketing it.

In the structure of tourist traffic, depending on the motivation of travel, in international tourism
practice and even in the country, there have been important changes in the sense of diversifying travel
objectives and changing priorities in the top preferences of tourists.
 The delimitation of the forms of tourism is particularly important from a theoretical and practical
point of view and offers elements of scientific substantiation of the decisions regarding the development
and diversification of the tourist offer, its alignment with the changes in the structure of demand.
(Cristureanu, Zadig, Baron, 1982)

The World Tourism Organization identifies through some factors, different forms of tourism such
as the following:

According to the place of origin of the visitors, the tourism is divided into three parts: domestic
tourism, inbound tourism and the outbound tourism.

 Domestic tourism includes tourists traveling within their country for various purposes;

 Inbound tourism includes non-residents visiting a particular country;

 Outbound tourism includes residents of a country who travel to other countries.

According to the frequency of manifestation of tourist demand: continuous or permanent tourism

and seasonal tourism.

 Continuous or permanent tourism includes the demand manifested throughout the year;

 Seasonal tourism includes the demand manifested in certain periods of the year, taking into
account the meteorological conditions or the organization of important events.

According to the way of commercialization and employment of the tourist service, we identify:
individual tourism and collective tourism.

 Individual tourism includes people who travel alone and on their own;

 Collective tourism includes tourist groups.

According to the degree of mobility of the visitors, we identify: itinerant tourism and stay
tourism.

 Itinerary tourism involves visiting several tourist destinations with short stays;

 The stay tourism includes a single destination and a stay period of several days and thus we have:
short stay tourism (maximum 2 nights), medium stay tourism (over 2, but maximum 30 nights)
and long stay tourism or residential (over 30 nights).

A last criterion is that of the motivation or purpose of the trip, and from this point of view the
forms of tourism are very diversified and popular, thus occupying a significant share in the total of
contemporary tourist trips.
 I have mentioned and described below some modern forms of tourism, with the help of
information obtained from several books on tourism economy:

Cultural tourism involves visiting, in order to meet cultural and spiritual needs, art and
architecture monuments, historical sites, museums, art galleries. At the base of this type of tourism is an
extensive excursion program, independent, as well as in combination with leisure. This, by the nature of
its reasons, the place of development and the way of organization, is integrated with the urban and the
recreational one, as well as with the leisure or the business one.

Leisure tourism is a common and probably the most widespread form, which is performed for rest
and relaxation and giving people the opportunity to know new places, history and customs of some
cultures and places, thus interfering with cultural tourism. This mode of tourism is very diverse and
developed and can include various fun programs or occupations.

Spa tourism is a specific form of leisure tourism, but the main reason is the need to treat various
health conditions of people or prevent them. It has a strict connection with the resorts known for
therapeutic properties, mineral or thermal waters, muds, located in a suitable climate. It is known that
almost a third of the thermal and mineral waters that benefit Europe is concentrated in Romania, and their
health effects have been attested over the centuries.

Business tourism is that form of tourism, practiced by employees or other categories of people
who perform their duties outside their usual environment, which includes travel for business or
professional interest, inside or outside the country of residence, without obtaining income at the
temporary location. This form of tourism is attributed to travel for participation in business meetings, fairs
and exhibitions, congresses, scientific conferences and meetings, as well as for negotiating and
concluding contracts.

Religious tourism consists of the religious needs of people of various faiths. Pilgrimage trips to
places of worship are one of the oldest ways of tourism, with deep roots in history. The religious impact
on the economy of some countries and regions of the world, on religious centers, is considerable.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism oriented towards familiarization with natural values, ecological
education and training and ensures a minimal impact on the natural environment. Ecotourism offers
opportunities for nature experiences that lead to a better understanding, appreciation and joy of
discovering and protecting nature and traditional local culture, both for visitors and for the local
community.

Rural tourism includes all the activities occasioned by spending a certain period of time in the
rural environment, the means of accommodation can be both the peasant household and general tourist
equipment - inns, rustic hotels, stops. It is one of the most successful solutions in terms of harmonizing
the requirements of tourism with the demands of environmental protection and sustainable development
and is defined by the desire to spend time in the middle of nature and return to life and traditional
customs.

Sports tourism can be divided into two types, depending on the purpose of the trip: active and
passive. In the case of active tourism, the main motivation of the tourist is the possibility to practice his
favorite sport, and in the case of passive tourism, the purpose of the trip is to visit sports competitions as a
spectator.

Mountain tourism includes tourism practiced during holidays and weekends almost all year
round, and in the cold season, tourism for winter sports. For mountain tourism, the natural potential is
essential: mountains, landscapes, specific conditions for winter sports.

1.4. Mountain tourism

Today, tourism represents, through its content and role, a distinct field of activity, a component of
prime importance of economic and social life for a growing number of countries in the world. Tourism in
mountain areas has developed seriously in recent decades, and not only in winter, when the winter sports
season turns mountain resorts into favorite destinations and crowded with tourists.

The mountain has always been an attraction for people, thanks to its grandeur and landscapes, its
attractiveness throughout the year, offering a wide range of ways to spend the holidays. Our days, more
than ever, for people everywhere, but especially for those who live in urban areas, the mountain
is the place where it goes in any season of the year, in search of nature. This type of tourism has
developed over time based on major investments, mainly due to the growing demand for
accommodation and winter sports. Investments were naturally concentrated in areas that
perfectly combined natural and economic and social conditions. The most competitive and
sought after mountain resorts have developed in economically developed countries: in the
European Alpine countries (France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany), in the Scandinavian
countries or in the USA. and Canada.

In Europe, the most important concentrations of mountain resorts are developed in the
following regions and mountain ranges:
  Alps (France, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Slovenia)

 Carpathian Mountains (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Romania)

 Scandinavian Mountains (Norway, Sweden, Finland)

 Pyrenees Mountains (France, Spain)

 Balkan Mountains - Rhodopes - Rila (Bulgaria);

The mountainous region of the Alps was and still is the main mountain destination in the
world. The development of tourism in the Alps began after the Second World War, using as a
base several old towns (Chamonix in France, Davos and Cras-Montana in Switzerland) which
today have become world-famous mountain resorts, capitalizing on excellent capital. their
natural (relief, climate, waters, vegetation).

The mountainous area of Europe stands out from the tourist point of view, compared to
other mountainous areas of the world, through an immense cultural-historical richness:
archeological vestiges, historical monuments, architecture and art (palaces, castles, museums).

The Carpathian chain, although not as great as the Alpine one, also has an excellent
natural and tourism potential. The beauty of the landscapes, the richness of the karst phenomena
(caves, gorges), of the mineral and thermal springs, the hydrographic network as well as the
multitude of forests in the Carpathians allowed their tourist capitalization especially in the
Romanian Carpathians (but also in the Tatra Mountains). Similar tourist resources are also found
in the Balkan Mountains and the Pyrenees.

If the flows of tourists representing an above-average market segment are polarized by

France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Central and Eastern Europe, Romania and Bulgaria serve
winter sports enthusiasts, but with low incomes, attracting few skiers on year, from Western
markets.

In our country, mountainous regions are a very important area from an economic point of
view, and at the same time require great protection. These regions have a mixed rural economy,
consisting of agriculture, forestry and wood processing, harvesting and processing of berries, as
well as various small and medium-sized industrial enterprises or different trades. In some
mountain areas, an important place in the rural economy is occupied by mountain agrotourism.
 In Romania, the special natural conditions, along with other factors, determined the
development of three important resorts - Poiana Brașov, Sinaia and Predeal. For winter sports,
these resorts have an offer that satisfies the requirements of international tourism. Mountain
tourism for winter sports is also performed in many other resorts in our country where, over time,
has been arranged an adequate material base, but smaller, compared to the three resorts
mentioned above. For example: Păltiniş, Semenic, Borşa, Durău, Buşteni and others. The
facilities in these resorts have the prospect of being launched in international tourism by
arranging their valuable natural potential.

In 1880, in Sibiu, the "Tourist Association of the Carpathians" was founded, and in 1881
the first Romanian chalet was built on Negoiu Peak. Between 1937-1940, the "National Tourism
Organization" was founded, whose purpose was to develop all forms of accommodation in
Romania, so that in 1944 there were 35,000 accommodation places throughout the country.

Mountain regions are a unique natural and cultural heritage and a very important area
from an economic point of view. These areas have always been the favorite space for the
establishment of national parks, due to the present values, but also to the low population density.
The attraction of mountain areas has varied over time, but has been imposed by specific forms of
leisure that are expanding in rich countries given the ecological character and strong sports-
recreational resonance.

Depending on the existing traditions and taking into account the development of tourism
in general, mountain tourism, especially the tourism potential of the Romanian Carpathians, our
achievements so far in the field of mountain tourism and winter sports, the use of material
resources and human in territorial profile, the main objectives of the strategy for the development
of mountain tourism in Romania can be deduced as follows:

 superior, scientific capitalization of the tourism potential of the entire Carpathian chain;

 development of existing resorts and creation of new ones, equipping them with basic
material endowments for accommodation, public catering and leisure in order to carry out
tourist activity throughout the year;

 expanding the collaboration and cooperation with specialized companies from

neighboring countries and from the Alpine countries for the joint realization of some
 basic material endowments and attracting new segments of the tourist demand; Romania's
inclusion in world tourist circuits;

 diversifying the offer of tourist programs in order to increase revenues; attenuation of the
seasonality of the tourism activity;

 increasing the volume of receipts, especially for foreign exchange receipts, increasing the
economic efficiency of mountain tourism.

The chain of the Romanian Carpathians forms the backbone of the Romanian space. The
multitude of European Transcarpathian roads, used by many European tourists in tourist transit,
the multitude of spas and mountain resorts, the special natural potential justifies the role of the
Carpathians in the development of tourism, mountain tourism with a wide variety of forms that
benefit from a moderate climate.

1.5. Tourism infrastructure

The infrastructure sums up the totality of goods and means through which the attractive
resources of a territory are exploited for tourism. The tourism infrastructure includes all the
goods and means created by man, meant to highlight the natural and anthropic tourist resources
available to a certain territory. The development of the tourism phenomenon cannot be achieved
without the existence of an adequate tourism infrastructure, known in some studies and the
material basic sub-name of tourism or tourist reception structures. Both the volume and the
structure of the tourist circulation, from the issuing areas to the ones with tourist patrimony, are
influenced by the technical-material base of tourism.

Structurally, the tourism infrastructure includes: the accommodation base, the public
alimentation base, the ways and means of tourist transport, the endowments for leisure and cure,
the auxiliary or complementary endowments.

The tourism system includes both accommodation, food, culture, leisure activities, as
well as transport activities to the tourist destination, various intermediate local trips, as parts of
the package of services offered to the tourist. (Niță, 2019, p. 46)
 The accommodation base represents the main component of the tourism infrastructure
that impels the overall development of tourism, the tourist circulation and conditioning the stay
in a territory with tourist resources. The accommodation structures ensure the shelter and rest of
the tourists.

The food services are in a close connection with the accommodation services, and it has
the obligation to provide the tourists with optimal conditions for purchasing and serving food.

Tourist transport ensures the movement of tourists from the place of residence to the
tourist offer and vice versa and is necessary as a means of travel around the destination.

Leisure is one of the basic components of the tourist product, which ensures the active
rest of tourists, being defined as the set of means and equipment that ensure man a state of good
mood, pleasure and fulfillment. (Niță, 2019, p. 61)

The leisure service includes activities that contribute to meeting the physical and mental
needs of the tourist, by providing the necessary framework for pleasant and instructive leisure.
Leisure has become a basic tourist reason and has led to the emergence of new types of holidays
for skiing, tennis, surfing, hunting, mountaineering, cultural, sports and others.

In the mountainous areas, the leisure infrastructure is dominated by sports activities: ski slopes,
bobsled, ice rinks; means of cable transport: chairlift, cable car, ski lift; gyms with mechanical
games, bowling, bowling, snowmobiles and others. (Niță, 2019, p. 62)

“Tourist services, by their nature, must create conditions for restoring the physical
capacity of the body, simultaneously with the pleasant and instructive leisure. They must be
designed so that, after consuming them, the tourist acquires more information, knowledge, even
new skills.” (Minciu, 2001, pp. 215-216)

The tourist services present a series of characteristics that derive from the particular way
of carrying out the activity, from the own nature of the production and work, some being
common with those of all the components of the tertiary, others are specific only to the tourist
services.

General features of tourist services:

a. Features specific to all services

 Unstockability - the immaterial nature of tourist services means that they cannot be
stored, preserved, for later consumption, and are therefore perishable;

 Intangibility - the intangible nature of the service - makes it impossible for tourist
services to be tried and tested before purchase;

 Simultaneity of production and consumption of tourist services - their provision requires

the presence in the same place and at the same time of both the provider and the
beneficiary of tourist products, the concomitance of their execution and consumption;

 Inseparability from the person of the provider - at the end of the provider's action, the
tourist services cease to exist;

 High share of living expenses - the presence of providers is imposed both by the specifics
of the activities and by a series of psychological considerations.

b. Features specific only to tourist services

 The personalization of the tourist services at the level of the group or even of the
individual is determined by the existence of various motivations of the tourists, as well as
of their different behavior towards each component of the services;

 Complexity - tourist services are the result of combining different services;

 The heterogeneity of the tourist services is determined both by the complex content of the
tourist services, and by their dependence on the material endowments and the person of
the provider;

 The participation of a relatively large number of producers in the realization of the final
product, the tourist services being the result of the activity of several distinct providers:
accommodation units, food units, transport units, leisure units.

 Substitution - the multitude of possibilities to combine and substitute the constitutive

elements of the tourist offer leads to the diversification of the offer.

 High dynamism - tourist services are subject to a permanent adaptation of their content
due to the evolution of tourist demand, as well as behavioral changes of consumers.
  Demand and consumption in a rigorous order - this feature is determined by the specifics
of the service, the place and time of the action, the form of tourism.

(Turcu, Weisz, 2008, p. 8)

CHAPTER II

MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN THE SOUTHERN CARPATHIAN

2.1.Description of the Carpathians in Romania

“Appearing in areas with rich natural and economic potential, mountain tourism has seen
a spectacular evolution in recent decades, both in terms of supply and demand, under the
influence of many factors.” (Țigu, 2001, p. 285)

The Carpathians are mountains with altitudes that rarely exceed 2500 m and temperate-
continental climate, often excessive, with forests and natural meadows spread over an area of
about 74,000 km2, with shorter periods of vegetation and lower temperatures than the Alps or
the Pyrenees.

The mountains of Romania, by their size, central position, wide historical significance, by
important resources of water, energy, minerals, agriculture and forestry, with a magnificent
biodiversity, but especially by people physically and mentally adapted to live in these places
harsh, so full of beauty, have been, are and we want to remain for our country and for the
European Union a great perennial wealth

Along with the Danube and the Black Sea, the Carpathians - "Corona Montium" - is the
fundamental geographical element for the territorial definition of the Romanian state. The very
name of these mountains derives from the numerous and powerful free Geto-Dacian people of
the Carpathians: Karpathos-Horos, according to the first Greek historical information.

The Romanian Carpathians belong to the alpine-Carpathian-Himalayan mountain system,

which includes the intercontinental area of Eurasia. The Carpathian chain begins north of
Bratislava and reaches the Timok River in Yugoslavia, an extension of the Alps. The length of
the Carpathians is longer than that of the Alps, but the height is smaller. They are divided into
several groups: Western, Forest, Eastern and Southern and extend to other countries: Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine and Romania. The Romanian Carpathians surround the
Transylvanian basin from the north, east, south and west, like a protective wall, being thus called
the "backbone" of the Mioritic space.

The mountains occupy 28% of the country's surface and even if they have strong
competitors, they have some tourist features that give them originality:

 easily accessible;

 at the foot or on the tops of some massifs mountain resorts have developed;

 cottages of national and international interest were built;

 modern and forest roads were built;

 large ski area;

 moderate climate, low blizzards and few avalanches;

 alpine domain over 1900-2000 m, but also mountainous favorable for hiking.

(Niță, 2019, pp. 20-21)

The Carpathian Mountains occupy about a third of Romania's surface and are home to a
large part of tourist attractions, many of which are both original and very valuable. They are part
of the Balka- Alpine-Carpathian system and present a series of features that distinguish them
from the Alps and the Balkans, both geomorphologically and in terms of tourist activities in
these areas.

“Both the maximum altitudes and the positioning in the center of the country, give the
Carpathian chain a wide accessibility from all corners of the country, in all directions and to the
interior of the mountain ranges.” (Țigu, 2001, p. 144)

The forests and natural meadows of the Romanian Carpathians are pure sources of
energy, oxygen and food, which allow the existence of human communities, protection in natural
and social plan. (Rey, (2007), p. 15)
 In the Romanian Carpathians are found about 62% of historical and natural monuments,
33% of museums, a large part of archaeological sites and a treasure trove of occupational
artifacts. This area is a cultural presence of major importance in prehistoric and classical
civilization and culture, and facilities such as the Orastie Mountains, monasteries in northern
Moldova or wooden churches in Maramures, have a major importance that led to the inscription
in the world heritage list. (Rey, (2007), p. 15)

Over time, the tourist dowry of the Carpathian Mountains has increased its attractiveness
through specific equipment and arrangements, designed to attract as many tourists. In the area of
our Carpathians, the tourist offer presents some specific features, conferred both by their
physical-geographical particularities, which differentiate them from other European mountain
ranges, and by the economic and social context in their houses is their tourist capitalization.
(Țigu, 2001, p. 142)

2.2.The natural and anthropic potential of the Southern Carpathians

The Southern Carpathians are located in the central part of Romania and in the south of
the hilly depression of Transylvania, and represent the most massive and highest sector of the
Carpathians in our country. They are limited, to the east, by the Prahova Valley, to the west, by a
depression corridor (Timiș-Cerna Corridor), and to the north and south, by hilly regions.

The Southern Carpathians are divided into four transversal sectors: Bucegi, Făgăraș,
Parâng and Retezat-Godeanu.

The Bucegi group imposes itself by massiveness, the maximum altitude being 2505 m at
the top of Omu. Here is predominantly the type of karst relief, with caves (Dâmbovicioara Cave),
gorges (Ialomicioarei Gorges, Tătar Gorges), steep slopes (Caraiman slope), karst needles (Jepii
Mari, Jepii Mici), suspended plateaus (Bucegi Plateau). with strange residual forms it appears,
noting Sfinxul and Babele. The Bucegi Massif was formed together with the Southern
Carpathian sector and the entire Carpathian chain, during the Alpine orogeny.

The Făgăraș group, located between Dâmbovița and Olt, is the highest mountain group in
the Southern Carpathians, having, besides the two peaks (Moldoveanu and Negoiu), several
heights over 2500 m. This group includes the Făgăraș Mountains, in the north, and a series of
lower peaks, located in the south, of which the Iezer Mountains are the highest and most
massive.

The Parâng group, between Olt, Jiu and Strei, is notable for its larger size and the
existence of large smooth surfaces. The mountain peaks start from the Parâng Mountains
(Parângul Mare Peak, 2519 m) to the north (Șureanu and Candrelului mountains) and to the east
(Lotrului and Căpățânii). The glacial relief is present around the high peaks, but less developed
than in the Făgăraș Mountains.

The Retezat - Godeanu group is between Jiu and the Timiș - Cerna Corridor. Although
the highest altitudes are in the Retezat Mountains (Peleaga Peak, 2509 m), the mountain ranges
start from the Godeanu Mountains, which are located in the center of this group.

The tourism potential of a territory represents a fundamental element in the creation of

the tourist products, respectively of the tourist offer. The natural potential implies the diversity of
the components of the nature framework, as tourist attractions and potential resources (relief,
hydrographic network, climate). The anthropic tourism potential derives from the history of our
people and includes the creations of man over time, materialized in elements of history, culture,
civilization and art, which attract tourists through their rich characteristics.

Among the central and eastern countries of Europe, Romania has the richest and most
varied tourist resources. The complexity of the tourism potential and the degree of attractiveness
are closely related to the particularities of the relief and the climate, as well as to the history of
the formation and development of our people. (Niță, 2019, p.7)

Romania has a tourism potential of great complexity and tourist value, recognized
worldwide. The geographical position gives our country three defining natural components in its
structure, which partially outlines its tourism potential: the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube
River and the Black Sea with the seaside.

The existing natural monuments on the territory of the country, the protected natural
areas, some inscribed on the United Nations list as parks and nature reserves, are special
attractions for tourism. Considering the cultural-historical patrimony, our country is the holder of
a huge treasure of archeological vestiges, historical monuments, art or architecture, as well as of
an invaluable ethnofolkloric patrimony, which attests the evolution and permanence on these
lands, the development of the culture and art of the Romanian people. (Niță, 2019, p. 34)

The natural tourism potential, very varied, is represented by:

1. A large alpine area, which through its landscape aspects, relief and glacial lakes, is the
main tourist attraction and the bottom of the mountain hike (Retezat, Parâng, Bucegi and
Făgăraș Mountains).

2. Impressive defiles (Jiu, Olt), mountain valleys (Strei, Sadu River, Cerna) and gorges
(Sohodolului, Gilortului, Oltețului, Bistriței, Dâmboviței gorges).

3. Anthropic lakes of hydropower interest, but which also increase the attractiveness of the
mountains and are certain destinations for tourism: Vidraru on Arges, Vidra on Lotru,
those on Valea Cerna and Bistrita Gorj, Poiana Marului (on Bistrita Marului), Negovanu
on Sadului valley , Sebes on the Sebes valley, Gura Apei on the Raul Mare.

4. Extensive coniferous and deciduous forests of great aesthetic, recreational, bioclimatic

and hunting interest.

5. The field for climbing is quite wide and includes routes of all difficulties in the Piatra
Craiului, Bucegi, Retezat Mountains.

6. Sulfur, chlorinated, brominated, calcium, sodium, magnesium, oligo-mineral, thermal

mineral waters at Băile Olănești and Călimănești - Căciulata, at the foot of the Căpățânii
Mountains.

7. Thermomineral, sulphurous, chlorinated, sodium, calcium, oligomineral and sulphurous

oligomineral waters (Băile Herculane).

8. National parks and nature reserves: Retezat National Park included on the United Nations
list of homologous parks and nature reserves; other protected areas of national interest in
the Bucegi Mountains, Piatra Craiului, Cozia, Grădiștea de Munte - Cioclovina (Șreanu
Mountains), Domogled - Valea Cernei; natural reservations: floristic and landscape in the
Cozia Mountains, Bucegi, Domogled - Mehedinți Mountains, Piatra Craiului;
speleological reservations: Cloșani caves (Mehedinți Mountains), Muierilor (Parâng
Mountains), Șura Mare and Tecuri (Sureanu Mountains); forest reservations: Chestnut
forest from Tismana (Vâlcan Mountains).
 The anthropic tourism potential includes important historical monuments, archeological
vestiges, museums, elements of ethnography and folklore as follows:

1. The vestiges of the Dacian fortresses, fortifications and religious constructions from
Grădiștea de Munte (with Sarmizegetusa dacica), Costești, Blidaru, Piatra Roșie from the
Șureanu Mountains, over 2060 years old.

2. The vestiges of the capital of Dacia - Sarmizegetusa Ulpia Traiana from the Hațeg
Depression.

3. Remains of medieval fortresses: Dâmbovita Bridge, Poienari - Dâmbovița, Câmpulung

and Mori-Hațeg River (Colt fortress).

4. Historical and architectural monuments such as the castles of Peleș, Pelișor, Bran and
Corvineștilor (Hunedoara).

5. The cult buildings, famous historical and medieval art monuments from Cozia, Bistrița,
Arnota, Hurezi, Polovragi (Căpățânii Mountains), Lainici (Jiu Gorge), Tismana (Vâlcan
Mountains), Sinaia (Prahova Valley), Sântamaria - Orlea, Densus and Sânpetru (Hațeg).

6. Museums and memorial houses in Nămăiești, Băile Herculane, Sinaia, Petroșani,

Sarmizegetusa, Hunedoara, Deva.

7. Elements of ethnography and folklore, with popular architecture, crafts, traditional dress
and folklore, ancient cultural events found in the localities of the folk areas Bran-Rucăr,
Tara Loviștei, Oltenia de sub Munte, Hațeg, Marginimea Sibiului.

2.3. Statistics regarding the Carpathian areas in tourism services

“Statistical evidence involves the statistical archiving of all quantitative and qualitative
information collected from field documentation, libraries, other documentation institutions, in
the form of "databases", which are stored in computers, using certain files.” (Bacal, Cocoș, 2012,
p.13)

The physical and value indicators of the tourist circulation are used in the domestic and
international practice and are the object of the statistical reports of the international organisms
(OMT, GATT, OECD and others). The internal statistics of each country can create conditions
for calculating some indicators, their content and informational value being the expression of the
accuracy of the methods used. (Turcu, Weisz, 2008, p. 12)

In the process of developing mountain areas, in accordance with the hills and plains, the
natural and economic gradients for the Eastern and Southern Carpathians, can serve as
comparative reference data for establishing subsidies, prices, taxes, compensations, tax, salaries,
differentiated at altitudes.

The number of tourist accommodation places existing in Romania on July 31, 2019 was
356,600. Most places, 199,900, were in hotels, followed by agritourism pensions with 49,100
places, tourist pensions with 35,200 places, tourist villas with 16,700 places, hostels with 13,700
places.

According to the functioning of the tourist reception structures with tourist

accommodation functions, 76.7% of the total rooms were in permanent tourist reception
structures. Rooms with bath or shower accounted for 96.6% of the total rooms. By tourist areas,
out of the total number of places, 64,800 in resorts in the mountain area, 35,600 in spas.

INS specified that the nomenclature of accommodation structures was established starting
from the list of authorized accommodation structures, downloaded from the website of the
Ministry of Tourism, on July 5, 2019.

Fig.3 - Tourist accommodation capacity in operation, by types of tourist reception

structures and classification categories in the third quarter of 2019
 Source: National Institute of Statistics

Fig. 4 - Tourist accommodation capacity in operation, by types of tourist reception

structures and tourist areas, third quarter 2019

Source: National Institute of Statistics

2.4. Distribution and promotion of mountain and leisure tourism in the Southern
Carpathians

“Distribution and promotion are two main components of the entire marketing activity,
closely related to the other elements of the mix, which they influence and which, in turn, are
conditional. These two support the effective realization of the product policy of the enterprises,
ensuring the completion on the market of its goods and services.” (Niță, 2019, p. 132)

“The promotional activity, in the marketing sense, represents the transmission on

different channels, by the tourist enterprise, of messages meant to inform the consumer about the
tourist product and to develop a positive attitude towards the offer.” (Niță, 2019, p. 133)

“In the case of tourism, there is a very close relationship between the promotional and the
distribution policy, because it is very important, even decisive, the promotion at the place of sale.
The tourist market, much more heterogeneous in terms of motivation to buy, makes the emphasis
in tourism promotion fall on personal sales. The explanation is that the decision to spend the
holidays is one of the difficult decisions of the modern man, of the family, being practically
irreversible.” (Niță, 2019, p. 134-135)

The tourism promotion process consists of a set of communication activities aimed at

transmitting in various ways, messages for information to potential customers and tour operators,
on the characteristics of tourism products and services offered, in order to strengthen a positive
image.

Promotional activities in tourism require significant investments due to the large

geographical extent of tourist markets, the manifestation of competition and the intangible
character of tourist products. We can say that the intangible nature of tourist services leads to an
increase in the importance of the promotion strategy.

Mountain tourism has a potential of great complexity, due to the diversity of alpine
landscapes, special natural environment and numerous tourist attractions of national interest. In
order for these high value tourist attractions to become viable from a tourist and economic point
of view, a series of measures is necessary. Due to the multiple possibilities to satisfy the tourist
motivations, the high demand for practicing some winter sports, but also the possibility to obtain
high incomes per day, mountain tourism can be considered a field of activity strongly involved in
the life of the society.

“It is essential that the promotion is associated with a policy of diversification of the offer
and to be in accordance with the other elements of the marketing mix.” (Niță, 2019, p. 137)

The mountain potential occupies approximately 36% of Romania's surface and is not yet
fully exploited according to the resources and potential tourists that can be attracted such as:
winter sports enthusiasts, mountaineering, hunting and fishing, hiking, climbing and others. The
National Parks and Reservations in the mountain area also represent an insufficiently exploited
tourism potential at the moment, but the practice of some tourist activities in these areas also
implies actions to protect them.

In the case of tourism, the main distribution channels are: travel agencies that help market
products, by selling tickets for any means of transport and selling tourist services, and tour
operators that offer service packages that include accommodation and transportation.

In order to achieve the objectives of the promotion, there are two strategies: the attraction
strategy, oriented towards demand aiming at its increase and the push strategy that directly
targets the buyer, following their "pushing" towards products.

It is true that each area of the Carpathians offers a wide variety of mountain tourist
activities and especially leisure, but the Southern Carpathians have a wealth of areas that offer
you all the comfort for practicing this form of tourism. We can thus identify a multitude of
activities and means of agreement in the area of the Southern Carpathians such as:

 Winter sports: skiing, bobsled, snow-boarding;

 Mountaineering, hiking, mountain biking;

 Hunting or barbecue parties;

 Health restoration: spas, sauna, fitness rooms and swimming pool;

 Festivals, cultural events or sporting competitions;

 Organizing congresses, exhibitions, modern events or fashion shows, winter holidays or

Easter.
 In order to be able to carry out the activity of promoting mountain and leisure tourism, a
series of actions are necessary that have as final product the promotion of new methods of
spending free time and holidays in this area:

 We must attract those segments of the population for which outdoor activities can be
pleasure, relaxation or even a hobby;

 Young people who are or may be interested in sports activities should be encouraged;

 Tourist products that could be of interest to tourists belonging to all age categories should
be highlighted;

 The uniqueness and originality of the tourist products offered through their conditions
must be emphasized;

 The development of the general infrastructure is necessary for the development of the
leisure activities as comfortable and efficient as possible;

 Introduction of the automatic reservation system for accommodation and activities in this
area;

 Attracting segments of the population with other motivations than leisure activities;

 Promoting offers accessible to any category of population, depending on their income.

The Bucegi Mountains area is generally preferred by most tourists with a highly
developed tourist potential with bi-seasonal tourist activity (summer for hiking, mountaineering,
rest and winter for winter sports).

This area is very attractive with many leisure possibilities and at the same time offering
diversified accommodation spaces for each type of tourist. The Bucegi Mountains have
internationally recognized resorts such as Sinaia, Predeal, Bușteni. The tourist activity developed
due to the steep potential of the Bucegi Mountains and the "Babele" and "Sfinxul" rocks, the
karst on the Ialomita Valley, the Piatra Craiului massif with the cave and the Dâmbovicioarei
gorges.

The Parâng Mountains offer special conditions for hiking and winter sports. For the Jiu
Valley, mountain tourism is an alternative, and the association they have (called “Asociația Schi-
Turism Montan Pro-Parâng Petroșani”) promotes this through various actions: photo exhibitions,
video projections, mountain museum, joint projects with educational institutions and NGOs or
sports competitions.

Țara Haţegului, together with Retezat National Park, are the most important ecotourism
destinations in the area of the Southern Carpathians. A perfect place to relax, the Retezat
National Park, is the place where the tourists returns to nature and can undertake various
activities: hiking, climbing, skiing, photo tours, observing animals in their natural environment.
Eight guesthouses and chalets in this area have been included in a promotion network and benefit
from free advertising throughout Europe, and foreign tourists are directed to these guesthouses in
the Retezat area by this organization that also supports ecotourism.

Therefore, in terms of advertising, in order to inform the public about a certain

mountainous area, it is decided to use communication media such as: television, press, prints and
internet. Television advertising offers multiple advantages, it has the ability to send visual and
auditory information about the tourist product. Another commonly used way to promote tourism
services and products is print advertising. The aim is to edit and distribute nationally and
internationally printed advertising materials: brochures, leaflets or catalogs. Besides the wide
access to information related to the tourist attractions of the mountain areas, potential tourists use
the internet, which is the newest and most modern way of promoting tourism, as a source of
information about tourist products and services, as well as other useful information in planning
vacations and trips.

In the field of tourism, there is a certain parallelism between marketing and promotion
actions: both use the same techniques. Thus, promotion involves informing the public through
the press and radio, and marketing involves specialized information through public relations and
advertising in the specialized press. The parallelism does not stop here, other new stages being
added to the trade: negotiation with wholesalers, upstream and downstream, making catalogs,
distributing retailers, stimulating them, advertising tourist products, selling to the public.

The socio-economic role of the promotion activity is to inform tourists about the products
offered for sale, about the services associated with them being increasingly necessary due to the
unprecedented increase in tourism needs and efficiency of production capacities and working
time of sales staff.
 The promotional activities in the Romanian mountain tourism, in the area of the Southern
Carpathians, require important investments due to the large geographical extension of the tourist
markets, the manifestation of a fierce international competition and the intangible character of
the tourist product.

2.5. Development of mountain tourism in the Southern Carpathians

Globally, tourism is a growing economic branch and in the countries where it is

promoted, it leads to economic growth. Based on existing natural and anthropic conditions, in
our country tourism can develop at the level of an important economic sector, which can have
positive effects on the labor market and on incomes.

For a sustainable economic development of the mountain areas, an appropriate legislation

must be ensured, which applied consistently to allow the increase of the attractiveness of the
Romanian economy.

In the contemporary period, the development of tourism in mountain areas must be

considered a priority, considering the relaunch of Romanian tourism on the domestic market and
on the European market. Mountain areas are real sources of winter sports, mountaineering and
hiking, and here can develop other forms of tourism: ecological, rural, cultural, religious,
entertainment, not just leisure tourism.

The development of tourism means encouraging the development of other sectors, and
the use of tourism as a resource for economic development also means investing in infrastructure
or education, because it has an important role in increasing employment, and is a support for the
development of the business sector and services.

The system of factors that determine the evolution and development of tourism can be
structured as follows:

a. By the nature of the factors:

 economic factors: population incomes, tourist offer, prices and tariffs;

  demographic factors: quantitative evolution of the population, structure by age and social
categories, change in life expectancy;

 social factors: free time;

 political factors: border formalities, visa regime;

 psychological and educational factors: interest in knowing reality, individual character

and temperament;

 technical factors: design and technologies in constructions, performance of means of

transport;

b. According to their importance in influencing tourism:

 primary factors: free time, population movement, tourist offer and others;

 secondary factors: visa or organizational facilities, additional services;

c. Depending on the duration of their action:

 permanent factors: increase of free time, change of people's income;

 conjunctural factors: political instability, meteorological conditions, natural disasters;

d. Depending on the basic components of the market:

 factors of tourist demand: population dynamics, incomes and free time available to
people;

 factors of the tourist offer: the cost of the offered services, the diversity and the quality of
the services;

(Niță, 2019, pp. 23-24)

Taking into account the spectacular landscapes that mountain tourism offers, the rich and
valuable anthropic potential, the mountainous region of the country must be further exploited.
Also, the forecasts that have in view an increase of both arrivals and overnight stays, with
average annual rates located at 2.6% and 1.7%, respectively, represent another element that
encourages the implementation of development measures.
 The tourist development of an area with such a rich offer, such as the Southern
Carpathians, can be designed from various perspectives. The proposals for the development of
the mountain area can be organized in the form of major objectives together with a series of
measures.

In order for tourists to be able to carry out a tourist activity as comfortable as possible, it
is necessary to develop the general infrastructure, having the role of facilitating the access to the
points of interest and ensuring the optimal conditions for spending the holidays. Another
measure in this regard is the parking spaces, thus developing a larger number of such spaces near
the most important tourist attractions in Bucegi, Parâng or Retezat, can lead to a civilized
tourism and to avoid the destruction of the environment resulting from chaotic parking.

The diversification of the specific infrastructure represents the diversification and

improvement of the services that make up the tourist package, and the intensification of the
leisure activity in these mountain areas. From this point of view, the modernization and
improvement of the existing accommodation and food units, as well as the construction of new
units of this kind, can ensure favorable conditions for tourists who love mountain tourism and the
activities they can practice in this area.

The Parâng Mountains area is one of the regions in need of improvement in this regard.
Although it is part of the group of the most spectacular and complex tourist attractions, the same
cannot be said regarding the specific infrastructure. Due to the fact that the area has a relatively
small number of accommodation units as well as few mountain trails, the Parâng Mountains are
known as one of the wildest mountain ranges. Thus, the construction of tourist chalets or sports
complexes in the Parângului Mic area, as well as their appropriate endowment with specific
equipment, will lead to attracting an increasing number of tourists.

Another area that needs improvements in this regard is the Predeal resort. Even if in the
last years the material base of the resort has registered a significant increase, there is still a need
for differentiated accommodation spaces in terms of comfort. As motels predominate in the
resort, it is necessary to build new buildings, ideal for this area being the guesthouses. These
guesthouses could be built in the vicinity of the resort, thus resulting in micro-resorts.

Valea Cerbului is located in the northwestern part of Bușteni resort. It is the most
important valley on the Prahova slope of the Bucegi Mountains, a charming valley that splits a
chain of mountains. However, the resort is not sufficiently valued from a tourist point of view.
The construction of mountain lodges in this area, could extend the duration of tourists' stay and
would offer them the best accommodation and food conditions.

Busteni Resort could also undergo some changes in this regard, and some improvements
could be made to lead to an increase in the quality of services offered and to offer potential
tourists better conditions. On the other hand, the construction of a slope near the castle on
Zamora, the extension of the Kălinderu slope as well as the construction of a gondola with Valea
Cerbului as a starting point to the Cerdacu area would also contribute to the development and
capitalization of leisure tourism.

For the development of mountain tourism in the area of the Southern Carpathians, more
emphasis must be placed on the development and diversification of existing leisure facilities, or
on the endowment of resorts with more such facilities.

Păpușa Peak, Rânca resort in the Parâng Mountains is a wonderful tourist area, both in
the cold season and in the summer season. As more and more tourists go to this area, the need to
develop means of recreation is taken into account. When we talk about leisure we do not refer
only to the means of cable transport (cable cars, chairlifts, gondolas), but to a complex of means
that meet the requirements of tourists and offer them a pleasant way to spend their time. It is also
recommended to equip the slopes with night installation.

In the Făgăraș Mountains, an area of great tourist attraction is the Bâlea tourist center.
Although it offers mountain lovers wonderful views of Lake Bâlea, of the waterfall on the river
Capra, this area is insufficiently exploited.

The enhancement of tourist attractions is another objective that should be analyzed when
developing an area. Also, the information provided to tourists should be translated into at least
two languages of international circulation, so that foreign tourists can understand and appreciate
the objective they visit.

Regarding the protection of the environment, certain measures can be established that
will contribute to the development of mountain tourism. It is therefore necessary to provide
tourists with special camping areas or waste collection points. In the Trei Brazi area within the
Predeal resort, the construction of a tourist stop should be considered, which should also have
spaces for the placement of tents. This would be suitable to meet the needs of tourists in the off-
season.

Regarding the development of mountain tourism in Poiana Brasov, here too it is

necessary to take into account some development measures. Even if it has a special natural and
anthropic tourist potential and is known as the most representative resort for winter sports, in
order to continue to meet the requirements of a famous mountain resort, the product can be
developed and modernized taking into account consider several aspects. Regarding the extension
of the ski area but also its equipment with the necessary facilities in the most appropriate way, an
element that should be put more emphasis would be the development and diversification of
winter sports. For tourists visiting the resort for recreation and rest, in order to boost the
development of mountain tourism, it is necessary to arrange new tourist routes but also the
approval and modernization of existing ones. Even if the resort has 9 means of cable transport,
they are extremely demanding and crowded, and would not spoil the investment in a new line.

It can be said that in the area of the Southern Carpathians there is the possibility of
developing mountain tourism. This is achieved both through specific investments, directly
related to increasing the technical-material base itself (accommodation, food, leisure), and
through non-specific investments, aimed at developing general, technical and social
infrastructure.