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Ecotourism Destinations in Romania Merce I.I. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1) Ecotourism Destinations in Romania Iuliana Ioana Merce, Ioana Anda Milin USAMVBT, 300645, Aradului Street, 119 Romania Abstract Romania has about 800 protected areas, which now covers about 5% of the country. Most ecotourism destinations are located within or adjacent to these protected areas such as Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, northern communities National Park, Yosemite National Park, Apuseni Natural Park. In Romania there are still non- fragmented forests, and over a third of the population of bears, wolves and lynx in Europe, unique paradise of birds in the Danube Delta, more than 12 000 caves and, not least, full of authentic local traditions. Ecotourism allows recovery and conservation of the country's natural capital. Keywords: natural capital, nature reserves, protected areas 1. Introduction 3. Results and discussion Ecotourism as a form of tourism has emerged with Tourism and ecotourism are usually part of a the need for people to retire in nature and visit the strategy for protected area management. The known natural areas or enjoy a national or degree to which tourism activities are pursued international protection status. depends on the priority given to them by managers Natural areas have important advantages for the in the area, which in turn should be guided by a development of recreational activities that can planning document developed for this purpose. bring significant revenues both those Ecotourism is increasingly considered as a administering them and local communities. management strategy for protected areas which, if Although it is quite difficult to measure, and the properly implemented, is an ideal sustainable results are often quite difficult to see the short, activity. It is designed to: tourism is one of the few sectors that can achieve ❖ have a minimal impact on the ecosystem; the sustainable development of these areas, and ❖ help the economically to local communities ; ecotourism is the most accepted sustainable ❖ respect the local culture; Tourism for every country and region of the world ❖ be developed using participatory processes [1]. involving all stakeholders ❖ be monitored in order to detect negative and 2. Materials and methods positive The entire spectrum of opportunities and threats in The research methods used by the authors is ecotourism does not apply for each protected area. reflected in the collection and interpretation of For example, in a protected area that attracts data from various sources and Reference section visitors primarily internal possibilities to generate of territory, their processing, analysis, an exchange office are limited, but there may be interpretation and drawing conclusions. good opportunities to raise conservation locally. Environmental degradation will vary depending on the fragility of natural resources and the types * Corresponding author: Iuliana Ioana Merce, of activities that are permitted [2]. [email protected] 327 Merce I.I. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1) Tourist destination is a geographical area bounded regions in Romania interested in obtaining territory, with the following characteristics [3]: ecotourism destination status may apply to the 1. a uniform and consistent marketing image ; ministry for this purpose, a cover letter requesting 2. a variety of tourism products falling within the inclusion in the evaluation program. Thereafter, destination image, tourist projects ; applicants self-assessment performed destination 3. network services and targets contributing to the based on criteria and indicators available on the tourism products in conjunction with marketing ministry's website. Finally, a team of evaluators image ; coordinated MDRT handles field evaluation. 4. existence of "administrator / coordinator " Depending on the results of these evaluations destination with a definite policy and coordinating ecotourism destination status granted for a period implementation leverages destination . of three years. Ecotourism destination is the tourist who, in Association of Ecotourism in Romania proposed addition the following principles: an ecotourism certification. This system aims to 1. projecting an image of responsible marketing achieve concrete results regarding nature 2. the prevailing business destination sustainable conservation, sustainable development of local management ; communities and enhancement of the local natural 3. the destination there is real support for local and cultural resources. Proposed certification communities ; system developed ecotourism products Retail 4. the destination is awareness and inform tourists Travel agencies and tour operators, destinations and locals on its natural character ; certification and accommodation structures in May. the destination is implementing concrete Romania, in order to ensure their quality measures for the conservation of nature ecotourism. It becomes increasingly evident that the A credible certification system must include: development of tourism in sensitive natural areas • existence and Interpretations; in the absence of appropriate management can • assessors qualified to define training standards present a threat to the integrity of ecosystems and and qualifications; local communities. A growing number of visitors • the certifying body that is recognized by to areas of ecologically fragile can lead to a strong customers and competent in the field; degradation of the environment. Also, local • well-established procedures; communities and indigenous culture may be • an easy to implement and transparent mechanism negatively affected by increased influx of foreign [5]. visitors with a modern lifestyle. In addition, The need to develop standard practices derived climate change, economic instability and political from ecotourism need to harmonize existing and social conditions can make travel a risky ecotourism certification systems currently in business, especially in areas heavily dependent on Europe and strengthen their position in the tourism this business [4]. market. The harmonization effort is based on an Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism integrated concept of ecotourism, which brings has developed a set of criteria for the designation together different services: accommodation, food, of ecotourism destinations in Romania developed transport and outdoor activities. Although each of based on the European Standard Certification in the components of ecotourism services may fall Ecotourism under different certification schemes, a standard The first condition is the destination for certification system would act as an "umbrella" ecotourism certification includes a protected area, and would ensure a minimum quality of the tourist with which may be included and "socio- cultural product and harmonization of existing systems, resources" of the area. Other criteria relate to the while recognizing their specific experiences and attractiveness of destination, accessibility, cultural background. Therefore, an ecotourism heritage protection and respect for cultural certification standard at European level, based on traditions, biodiversity conservation and holding a experience in Europe and globally, ensure waste management plan etc. Criteria were customer service standards comparable established on the recommendation of the World ecotourism in Europe (and possibly worldwide), at Tourism Organization (UNWTO), based on the least for a group of criteria basic [3]. European Standard Ecotourism Labelling. Micro - 328 Merce I.I. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1) Were launched network evaluation criteria for This area boasts over 300 species of birds and ecotourism destinations in Romania. Several about 50 species of freshwater fish. Also, Delta places that Romania could receive prides Dunatii is recognized and impressive flora that ecotourism destination status, which recommend thrives here. that place as the geographic area where you can Romania is the first country in Europe to develop practice a form of tourism that respects nature and a recognition system of ecotourism destinations local traditions. The advantage of these based on criteria developed by the Global approaches may be to increase the number of Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the visitors, both Romanian and foreign destinations European Standards of Ecotourism (0EETLS) by promoting more efficient [5]: after launch Friday ecotourism destinations and Great Tirnava the former administrative unit of criteria for their recognition. It is a unique time the Kingdom of Romania, is found in opportunity to position ourselves in the European southern Transylvania and territory area covers market ecotourism both technically, through the counties of Sibiu, Mures and Brasov. Tirnava ecotourism criteria and in terms of the positive Mare boasts river with the same name, which has image that ecotourism can provide real market a length of 221 km and joins Little Tirnava tourism image related to the nature and rural forming Târnava. culture in Romania. Some micro-regions in Repede Gorge was formed on the upper Repede Romania that their territory a protected area, a and covers a distance of about 40 kilometers. national park, a nature park with communities Repede springs in Northern Apuseni Mountains around their network services are able to make a (Mountains Gilaului) crosses depression Huedin partnership and represent this area [6]. western plain,
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