INSTITUTE OF

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
IN HUMANITIES
AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Interdisciplinary Studies on a Ne Econo!y
Constanta "#$%
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERMS OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA
ALINA GHERCO
alina_valentina_anton@yahoo.com
Spiru Haret University
ADINA TRANDAFIR
trandafir.adina@yahoo.co.uk
Spiru Haret University
ABSTA!T. Tourism is an essential component of pu"lic service sector# an
industry $ith hu%e potential for development. &t is part of the tertiary sector of the
national economy# consistin% primarily of supplies of services# $hich results in a
hi%hly dynamic# natural# under the conditions of contemporary civili'ation. The
tourism industry is characteri'ed "y a %reat structural comple(ity# $hich takes
many forms of service. The purpose of this paper is to support the ar%uments link
"et$een sustaina"le development and national tourism sector# and therefore the
assimilation of the term )sustaina"le tourism) and its inclusion in the sustaina"le
development strate%ies of omania.
*ey$ords+ effects of %lo"ali'ation on national economic competitiveness#
optimi'in% tourism# measurin% the sustaina"le development of tourism
1. Introduction
At the "e%innin% of this century and millennium# travel and tourism
industry is# $orld$ide# the most dynamic sector and# in the same time# the
most important %enerator of ,o"s. -rom an economic perspective# tourism
is considered# in the same time# as the main source of national economic
recovery of those countries $ith an important tourism resources# provided
"y a properly e(ploit.
.
INSTITUTE OF
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Constanta "#$%
2. Matria!" and #t$od"
The $ork $as "ased on the comprehensive study on the national
strate%ies for sustaina"le development and tourism# developed so far in
omania.
The methods used for this $ork are+ documentin%# systemati'in%
information and comparative analysis of the provisions of the countries#
$hich are mem"ers in /uropean Union# in the field of sustaina"le
development and tourism.
%. T$ a&&roac$ o' touri"# 'ro# t$ "u"taina(! d)!o&#nt
&r"&cti)
0a,or# deep chan%es occur in the third millennium# closely related to
the crises $hich are provoked $orld$ide and the reform intentions of the
various international or%ani'ations such as the U1# /U# 2T3# 4ATT# etc.
They have in common the recovery of the e(istin% crisis and the revival of
the economy# "y convertin% the process of internationali'ation in one of
%lo"ali'ation.
Since .556# the $orld economy distin%uished three hypostasis+
%lo"ali'ation and its profound effects on the competitiveness of
national economies7
contradiction "et$een the harsh la$s of the market 8economic
lo%ic9 and distri"utive ,ustice 8social lo%ic97
contradiction "et$een economic lo%ic and the necessity of the
environmental protection.
/conomic %lo"ali'ation causes an ever increasin% inter$eavin% of
national economies# reflected in an increase of the role of trade# forei%n
inventions and capital formation or %ross domestic product# in every
country.
The concept of sustaina"le development has deep roots in economic
theory# "ut currently can "e addressed throu%h the profit %ro$th theory. To
shape a real theory# it is necessary to use a principle to unify the &our
econo!ic areas' microeconomics of firms and individuals#
:
INSTITUTE OF
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macroeconomics of the national state# the economy of the transnational
corporations and the %lo"al economy.
&f developed countries can handle easily to mo"ili'e these resources
and perceived effort is not si%nificant# in the case of the less developed
countries or underdeveloped thin%s are complicated.
The situation of the countries that are in transition is more difficult#
"ecause many sectors that use resources# %enerates %rievances or
in,ustices# and on the other hand delays in development.
The concept of sustaina"le development implies the e(istence of
tourism and economic development in terms of the anthropi'ation their
nature# $ithout creatin% harm and dama%e it. -rom this perspective# it is
necessary to evaluate the strate%ies for sustaina"le development# "y
esta"lishin% %lo"al economic efficiency# concept $hich involves
convertin% all the effects in economic o"tained effects and comparison
$ith the effort made.
&n terms of tourism# applyin% the concepts of sustaina"le development
has resulted in recent years in the development and implementation of
la$s# that $ould lead to promotion of the tourism and protection of the
environment from pollution# its re%eneration or touristic $aste recyclin%.
*. T$ a&&aranc o' t$ conc&t o' +"u"taina(! touri"#+ a" a
con",unc o' t$ &rinci&!" o' "u"taina(! d)!o&#nt
The idea of adoptin% the sustaina"le development concept in tourism
emer%ed in the early ;56s# takin% rise to sustaina"le tourism < an industry
that has rapidly %ained importance "oth in academic and research areas# as
$ell as in practice = "usiness = tourism industry.
&n principle# sustaina"le tourism dissociates from mass tourism and
partly is associated $ith alternative contemporary forms of tourism# 8post
mass9+ ecotourism# %reen tourism and rural tourism# "usiness or the
automo"ile.
4lo"al !ode of /thics for Tourism adopted "y the 2orld Tourism
3r%ani'ation in .555# emphasi'es the principles that make the tourism< a
factor of sustaina"le development.
Since tourism < environment relationship is very close and $ith
implications for t$o<$ay# tourism should "e involved in the sustaina"le
development.
>
INSTITUTE OF
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Constanta "#$%
The concept of )sustaina"le tourism) is "ased on the ancient principles
of conservation and mana%ement# "ut provides a more active "ehavior#
that includes continued economic %ro$th in a %reener and fairer manner.
/nvironmental impact of tourism involves analy'in% of the tourist <
tourist product< tourist reserve relationship.
Sustaina"le development# as it turned out# is not ,ust a trend "ut a
necessity imposed "y the hi%h level of development reached "y some
states# and also# "y the economic "ack$ardness of many other states .
Since its appearance in .5?@# the concept of sustaina"le development
has penetrated in all economic and social areas+ from sustaina"le
a%riculture to sustaina"le transport and sustaina"le tourism.
3",ectives# principles# reAuirements of sustaina"le tourism
development can "e found in forms of tourism such as ecotourism# rural
tourism or cultural tourism. These forms are the e(pression of desire that
tourism is not only a positive and dynamic factor for development and a
practical solution for keepin% unaltered environment# in present.
Sustaina"le tourism !eans t(e a)ility o& t(e touris! destination to
re!ain co!petiti*e+ a,ainst all t(e issues raised+ to attract *isitors &or t(e
&irst ti!e and su)se-uently !a.e t(e! loyal+ to re!ain culturally uni-ue
and )e in constant )alance it( t(e en*iron!ent.
Sustaina"le tourism must "alance "et$een t$o types of needs
satisfaction+
economic development7
protection of natural potential# of the environment as a $hole.
Sustaina"le tourism strate%y involves three aspects+
-uality < sustaina"le tourism provides a valua"le e(perience for
visitors# $hile improvin% the Auality of community life < host
and protectin% the environment7
continuity < sustaina"le tourism ensures continuity of the
natural resources "ased on and continuity of community culture
B Host# satisfyin% e(perience for visitors.
e-uili)riu! < sustaina"le tourism ensures a "alance "et$een the
needs of the tourism industry# environmentalists and local
community.
Therefore# plannin%# development and operation of tourism must "e
part of the sustaina"le development strate%y of the area# re%ion or country.
C
INSTITUTE OF
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Sustaina"le tourism is a form of alternative tourism# ho$ever# is "ased on
the follo$in% principles+
minimi'e the impacts of tourism on the natural environment in
order to achieve the environmental sustaina"ility# helpin% to
maintain and improve the conservation status "y returnin% a portion
of the income to the protected area7 practicin% forms of tourism that
does not affect the natural environment.
minimi'e the ne%ative impacts of tourism on local communities
and their mem"ers to achieve social sustaina"ility. Development of
those forms of tourism that does not distur" and do not interrupt the
daily life of the population from the tourist destination7 avoidin% the
hostile situations in relation $ith the local community.
minimi'e the ne%ative impacts of tourism on culture = traditions =
customs of the local communities to achieve sustaina"le cultural7
development of a tourism a"le to determine and maintain local
cultures individuality and avoid saturatin% their )e(ternal)cultural
influences.
ma(imi'in% economic "enefits to the local people as a result of
tourism development# to achieve economic sustaina"ility. &t is one
of the most important principles of sustaina"le tourism# at the
service of protection and economic development of local
communities and protected areas.
education# trainin%# information for all those involved in tourism7
tourist education throu%h a hi%her understandin% and appreciation
of the impacts caused "y it to improve personal attitudes re%ardin%
the environment and reduce impacts. &ncludes an ecolo%ical
educational component for visitors# residents# local %overnment#
rural population# ur"an etc.
local control < a "asic principle in sustaina"le tourism. The local
community is involved and consulted throu%hout the development
sustaina"le tourism# "ein% a active decision maker. The key here is
local o$nership of tourism infrastructure elements 8like+
accommodation structures9. The local community and local
%overnments are involved and have especially financial control.
E
INSTITUTE OF
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Constanta "#$%
*. Su"taina(! i#&act on touri"# in Ro#ania
&n sustaina"le development# tourism has the key role to o"serve and
promote the overall o",ectives of the society. This may underlie the
"alance "et$een tourism activities and sustaina"le development.
1ational Strate%y for sustaina"le socio<economic development on the
medium term presents tourism as a priority sector# considerin% that it is
a"le to contri"ute a si%nificant share to the recovery and economic
recovery in omania.
&n order to capitali'e optimal 8sustaina"le9 of the tourism resources and
protection of the environment# provide a le%al and administrative
frame$ork for the or%ani'ation and performance of tourism in omania
84overnment 3rdinance E?=.55?9# plannin%# approval and maintenance of
recreational ski slopes leisure and mountain routes 84overnment
3rdinance .:F5=.55F9# the use of Black Sea coast tourism "each
84overnment 3rdinance .6@=.55F9# attestin% tourist resorts 84overnment
3rdinance @@=.55F9 and have completed certification criteria definition
and tourist areas $here environmental protection and tourism potential is a
priority condition.
omania had also developed specific rules on sanitary protection 'ones
for $ater and resource use and therapeutic 84overnment 3rdinance
.6.=.55@9. The Ga$ C.=.55E on the protection of national cultural
herita%e define the concepts of national cultural herita%e and historical
monuments# components# measures to protect historical monuments and
delimitation and increase their protection 'ones# that esta"lish the plannin%
documents.
/nvironmental protection le%islation 8Ga$ no. .>@=.55E9# those related
to plannin% activities involved in the plannin% process 8Ga$ no. E6=.55:#
4overnment Decision no. >.=.55F and other acts of the %overnment come
to sustain the sustaina"le development tourism "y reAuirin% operators to
carry out pro,ects# development and installation Auality travel and not
harm the environment and tourism resources. reAuirement to o"tain an
environmental permit 83rdinance no. .:E=.55F9 for an investment and to
develop a study a"out the environmentally# socially and economically
impact to "ase decisions on the location and si'e of the investment
F
INSTITUTE OF
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Interdisciplinary Studies on a Ne Econo!y
Constanta "#$%
o",ective# inte%ration into the natural environment and local architecture#
the e(ploitation of rene$a"le resources# treatment and disposal of se$a%e#
$aste etc. has a particular importance for this purpose. Throu%h
environmental permit are esta"lished the conditions and operatin%
parameters for e(istin% and ne$ activities# "ased on environmental
a%reement 83rder .@6=.5569. 0oreover# in accordance $ith /U directives#
all mem"er countries $ere reAuired to introduce in national le%islation an
act $ho reAuire to all operators to take account of the impact# that the lar%e
investment pro,ects has on the environment# includin% tourism.
Tourism in order to achieve compliance $ith the principles of
sustaina"le development should "e su"ordinate to national and re%ional
plans for economic and social development. Actions may cover for
economic 8revenue %ro$th# diversification and inte%ration activities# the
control# the 'onin% of the development9# social %oals 8improvin% poverty
and ineAuality of income distri"ution# indi%enous socio<cultural herita%e
protection# participation and involvement of local communities9 or
environmental purposes 8protection of the ecotourism functions#
conservation and sustaina"le use of "iodiversity9.
-. Conc!u"ion
Tourism occupy an important share of the national economy# "ein% the
sector %eneratin% places of $ork# as $ell as a "eacon to increase the
income7 $hile the romanian industry is in decline# "ut havin% a natural
potential# $ith $hich fe$ a"ove countries can "e proud# the tourism seems
to "e the only solution that omania has to pass the economic crisis. This
is $hy strate%ies promoted at re%ional and local level should %ive attention
to the tourism < "y ma(imum e(ploitation of availa"le resources
ine(hausti"le.
REFERENCES
@
INSTITUTE OF
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
IN HUMANITIES
AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMY Interdisciplinary Studies on a Ne Econo!y
Constanta "#$%
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