Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
Strategies regarding development of Romanian mountain tourism and sport actuality and perspectives
Gica Pehoiu
mountain resorts. Within these multiple there is operating Abstract — Alpine tourism in Romania benefits of very good modes by cable, such as lifts, gondolas, chairlifts and cable developmental conditions, thanks to the potential offered by the three cars with a capacity of about 35,000 people per hour. Carpathian sectors, each with its own specific features and Fitting many ski areas is not efficient enough to ensure landscapes. The specific alpine climate, through its meteorological parameters, sufficient natural snow for sports season for about 3 4 months offers the possibility to practice tourism throughout the year. The annually. Artificial snow is increasingly used, where water presence of the layer of snow, of the atmospheric calm from the resources are not sufficient. However, climate warming in depressional areas and along the valleys, the ozoned air, the high recent winters has resulted in poor snowfalls and even artificial number of the sunny days are beneficial for the tourist activities in snow production, which was difficult in many mountain areas. the alpine area. Of the total number of stations, only 7 have some adequate Tourism development in this region must be considered a priority facilities for de practice of the international tourism. in order to re launch the Romanian tourism both nationally and world wide. At the same time, the strategy of development for Compared with other reference countries regarding the tourism tourism starts from the idea of the development of the alpine tourism (Austria, France, Germany, etc.), one can say that Romania’s on small areas, adapted to the local specific characteristics and taking current ski area is several hundred times lower than in those into account the new conception of economic regionalization in countries, for example 120 times lower than the Germany’s or today’s context. almost 510 lower than the one of France. It is represented in 20 massifs (from a total of 72) and in 16 — Keywords alpine tourism, Carpathians, natural potential, mountainous counties (from totally 27). Most of the ski developmental strategies, winter sports. territory is arranged in an area concentrated base belonging to the counties of Prahova, Bra ov, DâmboviŃa (63.9% of the I. INTRODUCTION total). OURISM, at national level, is in the current period, one of In this area, Sinaia station is the largest space that offers the areas that can ensure a profitable and sustainable T for guests numerous seasonal sports opportunities. In this economic development at regional and national level. regard, this tourist town has special arrangements, for winter Potential natural and anthropogenic available in Romania need sports: 12 ski slopes of different difficulty (Table 1), track to be optimally exploited, provided to promote and develop some investment programs able to attract large numbers of bob, sledding slopes, lifts with diverse plant (Table 2), a ski tourists. school and one for snowboarding, equipment rental centers In Romania, mountain tourism has very good conditions for and sports materials, which operates in the hotels named development due to the potential of the three sectors of the „Sinaia”, „New Montana”, „Alpin”, „Palas”, „Holliday Inn”, Carpathians (Eastern, Southern and Western). As the country’s etc. main tourist region, Romanian Carpathians has a diverse Existing ski area is shared between the two slopes of the landscape, a complex of tourist resources with various Mount Vârful cu Dor (2030 m) west side, which is equipped possibilities for the phenomenon of travel (can be advanced with one chairlift and two ski lifts, the area being a part of about 14 modular forms of tourism and recreation, including Sinaia that receive the largest number of skiers; regularity and hiking, climbing and hunting and sport fishing, spa cure, scopes of the slopes skiing widely uses either a primary or a mountain biking, etc.), but the most important component of secondary route; eastern slope, which dominates the same mountain tourism is the winter sports, skiing and between them resort, stretches along the route followed by cable car. it is a high natural potential for development. In the ski area, dedicated to this sport slopes have a total Currently in Romania there are approx. 27 ski areas length of 11,500 m, representing 14.8% of the mountain offer, approved by about 80 runs allowed, which are found in 30 with a capacity of 7000 persons per hour and increasing degrees of difficulty. There exists some slopes with a good technical capacity, like Carp, Papagal, Turistica, Pârtia 1500, F. A. Author is with “Valahia” University of Târgovi te, DâmboviŃa their designed being for advanced skiers, but there, as shown County, Romania (phone: 0040 245 206105; fax: 0040 206279; e mail: in Table 1, runs for beginners and average skiers trained, as [email protected]).
ISSN: 1792-4294 539 ISBN: 978-960-474-203-5 Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
Poiana Florilor, Piramida, Vânturi and Dorului. For tourists monitors and skills. In countries with a predominantly winter who practice ski run version it is recommended slope on the tourism developed, these schools and the monitor are much Bucegi plateau, with a length of 8,000 m. Sinaia, among many (France and Switzerland over 200, Austria over 400). others, is the host of the Romanian Ski Federation, Bob Sledge Depending on the characteristics of relief and other and Biathlon, traditional competitions organized by this forum components of the framework of mountain, mountainous taking place on a specially arranged slope in the west of town, regions were ranked and divided into four groups of on the road leading up to „Alpin” Hotel Cota 1400. importance; in the group I is included those with the potentially very valuable, having favorable geographical TABLE 1. SINAIA CHARACTERISTICS locations and accessibilities, but also multiple opportunities for OF THE SKI AREA tourism valorization. Slope’s name Difficulty Length Level of Limits Also, the large number of resorts which are located in degree (m) difference mountain area is the result of tradition and experience in this (m) A. Advanced field and a basis for regional tourism development planning. It Carp difficult 2500 600 Vf. Furnica Cota 1400 is to be noted that the mountain tourist resort are not Turistica average 2800 440 Cota 1400 Sinaia depending only on the practice of winter sports but for many Papagal average 450 150 Tarle Lift of these occur the balneary function, because of the valuable Pârtia 1500 average 450 125 Cota 1500 Cota 2000 mineral resources. B. Începători Vânturi easy 2350 560 Vârful cu Dor Cota 1400 A territorial analysis of these resorts in Romania’s Poiana Florilor easy 250 50 Vf. cu Dor „Vf. cu Dor” Carpathians reveals a great dispersion in the territory. Piramida easy 450 100 Vf. cu Dor Chalet „Vf. cu Concentration may still see some areas or some massifs such Dorului easy 600 150 Dor” as (Fig. 1): FaŃa Dorului easy 1180 210 Vf. cu Dor Chalet „Valea Dorului” 1. Prahova Valley łara Bârsei, with some stations like Vf. Furnica Valea Sinaia, Bu teni, Azuga, Predeal, Pârâul Rece, Poiana Bra ov, Dorului area where tourism has benefited, especially the last time, the C. Sledging biggest financial investments; Drumul Vechi easy 3500 450 Sinaia „Alpin” Hotel Cota 1300 2. Rucăr Bran territory, where it was developed especially D. Bob track rural tourism; Furnica Sinaia difficult 1500 350 Vf. cu Dor Valea Dorului 3. Făgăra Mountains Arge Valley, especially zones as E. Bob and Sâmbăta, Bâlea, Cumpăna; sledge difficult 1500 134 „Alpin” Hotel Cota 1400 „Alpin” Hotel Cota 1400
TABLE 2. CABLE TRANSPORT INSTALLATIONS
Level Time No. Facility and Length Capacity difference duration crt. route (m) (persons/hour) 6 7 (m) (min.) Cable car 1. Sinaia Cota 2330 590 7 300 1400 4 3 2 1 Cable car Cota
2. 1400 Cota 1945 600 6 270 5 2000 Chairlift Valea 3. Dorului 980 180 7 700 Furnica Ski lift Valea 4. Dorului 455 150 3 350 Fig. 1. Romanian mountain tourism main focus areas Scândurar
4. Lotru Parâng Mountains, with stations like Voineasa, The technical equipment of Romanian mountain resorts as a Vidra, Obâr ia Lotrului, Lunca, Parâng area one with an whole contains over 60 cableways cable cars, chairlifts and upward development, since receiving a rich and diverse ski lifts totaling 65 km in length (nearly 3,700 from tourism potential; cableways in Austria, over 3,030 in France, 1,534 in 5. Banatului Semenic Mountains, where winter sports Switzerland, etc.), and about 80 tracks arranged (9,500 km in offers the longest season over 210 days/year and where to Austria and 2,500 in France). find reference stations in the direction of flows of tourists: Another important element that highlights the quality of Semenic, Văliug, Crivaia, Trei Ape, Secu etc.; offers for winter sports in the mountain area of Romania is the 6. Bihorului Vlădeasa Mountains, with stations as Stâna de existence of ski schools, being equipped with qualified
ISSN: 1792-4294 540 ISBN: 978-960-474-203-5 Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
Vale, Fântânele, Arie eni, Băi oara; compared to those of 2000, ie 1/3 of the 756,000 registered in 7. Giurgeu and Ciuc Depressions, and mountain massifs in the second year mentioned (Fig. 4). their vicinity, where mineral resources have led to the development of numerous balneary profiles like spa, among 1000 which are noted Băile Tu nad, Borsec, Covasna, Balvanyos 900 800 etc. 700 600 II. INDICATORS REGARDING TOURISTIC ACTIVITY 500 400 Tourist accommodation capacity and tourist activity in the 300 mountain area recorded during the years 2000 2007, an 200 upward trend (Fig. 2). For example, in the year 2007, the 100 0 number of tourist accommodation units was 978. That same 20001 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 year, the accommodation capacity of ski resorts represents approximately 20.8% of existing capacity in Romania. The Fig. 4. Evolution of tourist arrivals in accommodation share of seats in the public hotel accommodation remained establishments in the mountain area (2000 2007) thousand fairly steady in recent years, averaging around 11%. persons
1000 Tourist market. Recorded information during the years 900 2000 2005, in terms of overnight stays, registered some small 800 700 fluctuations. Its beginning was one peak corresponding to a 600 number of thousand nights 2,138 compared with those in 2002 500 and 2003, when it was 1,809 thousand, 1,876 thousand 400 300 respectively. Moreover, the year 2004 was characterized by an 200 increase on this indicator, reaching, in thousands of nights, 100 2,060, element which has remained in constant growth, so that 0 20001 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 in 2007 there were 2,218 thousand nights (Fig. 5). In 2005, 4.5% of all overnight stays were registered in Romania in ski
Fig. 2. Tourist accommodation reception in the mountain area resorts, and of these 13.9% were of foreign tourists. (2000 2007) number of unities Romanians accounted for 86.1% of persons arriving in the Carpathian mountain resorts and nearly 86.8% of all overnight Tourist accommodation capacity in the mountain area stays. Talking about foreign tourists, by country, Israel ranked benefited in 2007 of 31,448 seats, of which the hotels 11.706 first, accounting for 19% of all overnight stays, followed by (Fig. 3). countries like Germany and Great Britain. There is a reduction in the number of accommodation places in the period analyzed, with 4,178 seats. In 2000, the same 2500 parameter statistics refer to 35,626 seats, as in 2007 to reach 2000 31,448 people. 1500
36000 1000
35000 500
34000 0 33000 20001 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8
32000 Fig. 5. Dynamics of overnight tourists in the mountain area 31000 (2000 2007) thousand persons 30000
29000 III. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN THE MOUNTAIN 20001 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 ZONE Fig. 3. Mountain tourist accommodation capacity (2000 2007) In all forms of tourism in Romania, the mountain type are no. places represented as a prior one, criteria such as availability of this form of relief, accessibility, diversity and degree of Tourist movement. Number of tourists arrivals in environmental protection in relation to human actions. accommodation establishments of ski resorts has increased in One of the shortcomings faced by this type of tourism is the recent years, for example, in 2007, with 242,000 tourists absence of a general policy direction of this sector, which is
ISSN: 1792-4294 541 ISBN: 978-960-474-203-5 Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
marked by isolated measures of implementation without important role developing initiatives to build and integrated into a well developed strategic plan. Effects of such refurbishment of accommodation on the basis of modern state of things were still being felt and experienced a quality standards, taking into account also the traditional valorization plan inadequate existing assets and the lack of an characteristics of aesthetics and the area specific. adequate system and upgraded accommodation services, catering and leisure. TABLE 3. SWOT ANALYSIS OF TOURIST ACTIVITY IN THE The main advantage of mountain tourism is that it can be MOUNTAIN AREAS practiced throughout the year and one major disadvantage is Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Risks related to poor infrastructure (requiring different tourism is communication channels for urgent improvements). diverse and rich A phenomenon that manifests itself in increasingly potential, which strong can cover the increasing competition in the prominent in recent years is that the manifestation of tourists, a entire period of outdated demand for active European market growing interest to stay in small local guesthouses, comparing the year conception of tourism in the quality and with the expense of the hotel facilities that they offer. potentially mountain tourism international diversification of Regarding this type of tourism development strategy that we important ski development areas markets externally tourist area cable transport development of services in the field refer is based on the idea of a development of small areas, therapeutic waste facilities rural tourism and relatively high adapting to local conditions, in accordance with the new natural factors and inadequate ecotourism/ costs of products concept of economic regionalization in Romania. In this low degree of use tourism in restricting public context, space mountain should not viewed only in terms of the pollution small number of protected areas access to them good recreational creating high level of winter sports tourism, mountaineering and trekking etc., but as conservation of structures après accommodation investment an area where they can be developed other forms of tourism, the tourist ski facilities, mainly in necessary to build such as for rural culture, ecological, speological, religious resources only partially rural areas resorts for skiing, tourism etc. well kept modernized ski EU funds for public or private traditions area tourism slow Tourism development, not only in the mountains, will take relatively easy correlation development in implementation of account of sustainable development on preserving and aces to the overall rural areas modern protecting natural and cultural heritage, and to reduce human majority of the infrastructure predictable management pressure on the environment, tourism being pursued widely. stations and development and increase in living practices The overall objectives of the strategy to develop tourism in mountain areas ski area standards in lack of existence of a Romania public/private the mountain area are represented mainly by the creation of ancient tradition partnerships tourist interests for the international destinations, this approach of tourist being a social economic analysis for SWOT on the practice development strategy of the Romanian tourism. The specific objectives aimed mainly foreign tourists increasing by 10% An additional consideration should be given to some annually and 5% of Romanian tourists, during the years 2007 accommodation with small, dimensions with a wide range of 2013 (Table 3). leisure activities which take place for their perimeter. Basic Space mountain tourism development strategy should be services (housing and food) are important for image and developed taking into account four main thematic directions: market position occupied by the mountain tourist destinations. 1. Specificity and diversity of mountain tourism promotion They must have a complex structure to respond to the is to be made after a market survey managed by specialized customers with different preferences, which has habits, but companies under the guidance of the National Tourism different levels of income. In this context, the NTA and local Agency (NTA) and local public institutions in the field. In this authorities should build on international experience of states approach, a special importance have the activities regarding to that benefit and promote mountain tourism well represented. promote mountain tourism destinations and activities that can Development of winter sports tourism is closely linked with be carried by them. In the recent years, campaigns have the ski area and cable transport, plus the valorization and focused on two levels: first segment offers designed to focus promotion structures (ski schools). From this standpoint, the on the components or services (“winter sports”, “holiday strategy must address the cumulative some plans, such as: homes”, “hotel”, “inns”, “hostel”, “cableway”, “family ski area planning, which is of crucial importance because vacation”, “holiday villages for children”, “après sky”), and of its ability and quality and competitiveness depending on the second, the presentation offers winter sport regions, areas or existence of stations; elements of affinity or complementarity. For Romanian construction and equipping of vehicles on the cable are the mountain tourist destinations is important to identify market basic steps of construction and effective operation of segments that have the greatest chance of success. competitive tenders for sports in season. 2. Development and improvement of tourist offer, which Development of rural tourism is a predominant concern in must be based on market competition to the local policy of the mountain area settlements, helping to maintain local diversification. Regarding this criterion strategic plays an interest in harnessing the resources and the preservation and attractiveness of this kind of territories. Important in this
ISSN: 1792-4294 542 ISBN: 978-960-474-203-5 Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
regard also is diversifying also non agricultural activities, with mountain environments is a prerequisite to support tourism priority actions to be completed in territories with a high development. One of them is about sustainable alternatives to tourism potential. some complex strategy focusing on sustainable investment and Launch of the Romanian tourist in the villages on the correlated with the local demand for tourist services, in European market should be associated with measures of our conjunction with relevant international trends. country to be wide open to the outside market, focusing on Implementation of development strategy of this kind of efforts made to secure a competitive tourism product offerings, tourism must be made by regional public authorities with original, with a deep note of personality. guidance and support of NTA. Tourist villages are those homes of rural communities However, given that much of EU development funds will be through their specific and particular note (settlement, natural directed to regional and sectoral operational programs, it is to resources, architectural or historical monuments, ethno be involved and managed some programs by authorities folkloric tradition) laced with good quality, great hosting, that responsible for developing and implementing them, according may be in the rural tourism product, while being prepared to to EU regulations and principles of a good financial satisfy a wide range of domestic and international tourism management. motivations. For the Carpathian area there were taken into European models of mountain tourism development may be account the following concentration of tourist villages: examples of good practice for different regions of Romania. In the Eastern Carpathians: Dorna Bârgău, łara Unfortunately, they are not sufficiently well known or Maramure ului, BistriŃa Valley, Bra ov Depression, Bilbor disseminated to the poles of interest (authorities, operators, Depression, Trotu Corridor, Baraolt Depression, Harghita population), and they result in the initiation of models that it Mountains. Attractions of this area are: keys, valley, caves, has often proved unsustainable. waterfalls, steep topography, mineral waters, natural reserves, It can be said that the promotion and development of architecture, historical monuments, ceramics and popular investment projects for the reference domain should be a fabrics. priority, especially since external funds are available currently In the Southern Carpathians: Rucăr Bran Corridor, outstanding behind the Romanian authorities in the tourism Făgăra , Olt and Lotru Valleys, Parâng, Depressions Petro ani sector. It is true that some problems occur by the global crisis, and HaŃeg, Retezat, MehedinŃi Cerna, Cindrel ureanu. competition becoming stiffer in the social economic sector Attractions are Roman camps, remains, castles, fortifications between countries but also in a specific region of a country. and religious buildings, Dacian fortresses, exceptional natural landscape, mineral waters and thermal resources, the folk variety. IV. CONCLUSIONS Banat Mountains, which attracts by their traditional Geographical location, landscape features but especially architecture, costumes, archaeological artifacts, or flora and beneficial favorability by weather conditions are factors that fauna in their southern parts. affect tourism activity held throughout the year in ski resorts, In the Western Carpathians, areas of MoŃi, Zarand, Beiu . which highlights the degree to practice specific activities. This area’s attractions are traditional houses with archaic Carpathians in Romania has a diverse landscape, a complex nature, ethno folk specific items, costumes, textiles and of tourist resources and many opportunities for valorization in embroideries, the natural or historical vestiges. tourism. In terms of the prevailing characterization of the potential Investments in recent years have made business travel to tourist villages are distinguished the following types: find an upward increase even because Romania is currently a climate ones and attractiveness of the landscape (Fundata, low interest like a tourist destination in a bad place on the Bran, irnea, etc.); tourist agencies offers. Experts in the field unanimous say that ethnographic and folklore (Bogdan Vodă, Vaideeni, in the coming years our country can become one of the Lere ti, Sibiel, etc.); those with artistic creation and craft (Tismana, Marginea, favorite tourist destinations in Europe. Vama and others); Tourist infrastructure began to be modernized and expanded with hunting interest. the area visible from the hotel, catering and entertainment, but Types of tourism in these villages may be of interest like: especially in the modernization and preservation of tourism the stay, rest and treatment, knowledge cultural, ethnographic resources in the best conditions existing according to the folklore museums, sports, traveling. international standards. 3. Increasing professionalisation of the people who works in Currently it appears that is still a high concentration of tourism activity is another action to be pursued continuously to accommodation and recreational facilities, lifts and ski slopes, improve the quality of tourism services. Achieving this goal as shown throughout this study, in the Prahova Valley requires the elimination or reduction of unskilled or poorly Postăvaru (50%). It must have a particular regard to the quality qualified staff working in tourism. Training in areas dedicated of accommodation and services in all tourist resorts adjacent to tourism activity is particularly important for optimal support mountains, especially those with 3 and 4 stars comfort, but of activities consistent with international standards. also the development of specific recreational facilities and 4. Adaptation to the specific tax legislation and various compliance with mountain massifs on environment.
ISSN: 1792-4294 543 ISBN: 978-960-474-203-5 Latest Trends on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology
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