Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 18, Issue 3, 2018 PRINT ISSN 284-7995, E-ISSN 2285-3952 THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE EXPANSION OF AGROTOURISM IN PRAHOVA COUNTY Constantina Cati IACOB (IRIMIA) University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, 59 Marasti Boulevard, District 1, 011464, Bucharest, Romania, Phone: +40213182564, Fax:+40213182888, Email: [email protected] Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract An article entitled "The importance of local development through the expansion of agrotourism in Prahova" it refers to the existing agro-tourism potential. The paper presents a synthesis of the technical material related to the specific infrastructure of the area and an analysis of the tourist traffic. Conclusions reveal the need to develop local government to raise the community's living standards with the help of quality services by promoting traditional values. Key words: traditions, potential, agritourism, local development, Prahova County INTRODUCTION accommodation in hotel system but there are upper-income vacationers who prefer The advent of the tourist trips is recorded in agritourism out of curiosity or for rest. antiquity, and tourist activities in rural areas found their beginning in the same period. In MATERIALS AND METHODS Romania, "country life was a theme often addressed in the literature of the end of the The scientific approach achieved by this paper 19th century, having the forefront of the is based on the knowledge of the factors that village as a symbol of famous works. can lead to support efficiency strategies and Remarkable authors of the Roman literature, development of agro-tourism in the County of considered promoters of the development of Prahova. For this they were addressed issues rural tourism, have praised these areas. The related to economic development, special place occupied by the agro-touristic infrastructure development, social issues and farm for leisure is derived from the natural cultural and touristic potential existing in the quality offered by the geographic space area studied. offered to the tourists alongside the traditional Agritourism as a form of rural tourism has meals offered in the peasant farms where the emerged as an alternative to the classic tourists can participate alongside the hosts in tourism being defined as "a narrower concept making cans, preparing dairy products or to and considered that it uses for take part in holidays or various holy fests, accommodations and dining only tourism and fishing or hunting events. agro-farming landlords, is a picturesque and Foreign tourists who love agritourism are unpolluted environment, natural attractions interested to know the history and traditions and cultural-historical values, traditions and of Romania, for visiting scenic areas, customs are present in rural areas". [9]. admiring the architecture of peasant houses The literature identifies many different and folk crafts, traditional knowledge and concepts that characterize the agritourism. tasting the gastronomic specialties. Some of these are given in the paper "the From a financial standpoint, these people fall Romanian village: tradition, into the category of those with medium and contemporaneousness and hopes for the small materials, whereas this type of tourism future" and follow: securing the base material calls for less money compared with as "an activity that was able to capitalize on 171 Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 18, Issue 3, 2018 PRINT ISSN 284-7995, E-ISSN 2285-3952 the existing surplus of peasant farm developing local and national economy, with accommodation, prepared and arranged implications for ecological and socio- specifically for the reception of guests" [3]. economic). CELTIC INTERREGIONAL Activities that revolve around the peasant COOPERATION ' (program of strengthening household as "a set of goods and services ties between the networks established between provided by the household consumption 8 of Spain's agricultural regions, France, toward the country of persons who, for a Ireland, Great Britain, with a common cultural certain fixed period, coming into rural areas past for the promotion of rural tourism and for relaxation, rest, recreation, therapeutic cultural heritage and the creation of a cures, or business transactions, as well as common Celtic identities, along with many other activities" [3]. environmental awareness throughout the Entertainment, through which the agritourism tourist season). is considered "a form of tourism with great The program TRANSNATIONAL AGRI- variety and uniqueness in accomplishing what TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE, gives people who love nature, art and culture organized by the 'Bishop Burton College of of the country" [3]. Agriculture, (aims to create educational The development of tourism at European services in the field of green tourism and level, is growing good of allowing tourist protecting the environment for visitors to the resources in rural areas. Agritourism is region in which lies the Bishop Burton considered "a promising option for the future Agricultural College). whereas it can achieve economic growth of communities with predominantly agricultural RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS and forest, with the dire consequences of attracting and maintaining favourable over Prahova was always a basic pillar in the the population in rural areas, to encourage history of the Romanian nation in the agricultural activity in disadvantaged regions Carpatian-Danubian-pontic. The natural of auteurs of natural resources and social and backdrop of the Prahova valley and Bucegi cultural development" [6]. Mountains, Teleajen, numerous tourist resorts Its evolution is represented by numerous and facilities they have, along with a number international associations find examples in of other factors have determined that this this case: World Association for professional county ranked No. 3 on the country (after the training in tourism (AMFORT), Association County of Constanta and Bucharest) in terms for rural tourism development (ATRAC) to of the number of tourists. Natural tourism encourage rural and cultural tourism potential is defined on the short existence of programme EXPERT (rural tourism mountain chains as: Bucegi, Baiu, Scree, development in the participating countries: Ciuas. Stands and sub-Ploieşti that was Plain. Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Luxembourg, The main waters are: Teleajan Doftana United Kingdom, Cyprus, the Czech Prahova, Cricovul Dulce Salted. The County's Republic, Slovakia, Poland, France, Russia climate is a temperate continental, in the and Sweden. North, the mountains present a tougher The basic principles being innovation, character with winds from the North and why transferability, sustainability, profitability and bat northeast [2, 1, 4]. Environmental Management Institute), and The vegetation is influenced by altitude, "EDEN", "EUROTER" (has as main objective standing out like this: alpine vegetation, the promotion of agro-products), forests of conifers and broadleaves (Beech, "CLECOMFORT" (France), "EUROGITES" common oak, Fir, Hornbeam, Oak). The ANTREC member ('EUROPEAN RURAL vegetation in the Southeast area of the County TOURISM NETWORK') National Federation has features of a silvo-stepe with grassy of Tourist Offices and labour initiative xerophyte plants. The plateaus are covered (FNOTSI), Association ECOVAST (the with meadows, forests and orchards of fruit objective of rural tourism as a means of trees. 172 Scientific Papers Series Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 18, Issue 3, 2018 PRINT ISSN 284-7995, E-ISSN 2285-3952 In the area there vineyards, and sessile oak with industrial-agricultural activities-tertiary: forests which alternate with large orchards of Filipeştii de Pădure, Măneciu, Valea apple and plum trees. The fauna is varied and Călugărească etc, agricultural pools: Large specific for steps relief. In the upper floors fruit production areas in the area until Voila are found: red deer, bear, wolves, wild boars, Băicoi, Măgurele, Valea Calugarească Susie ferrets, cats, squirrels, chamois. The specific area; wine production concentrated in the territorial birds are: Blackbird, chaffinch, Dealu Mare Vineyard with famous pools: Golden Eagle, goshawk, Eagle. Among Valea Călugărească cu zona Seciu – Boldeşti reptiles there are viper and lizard. The aquatic Scăieni – Urlaţi, Ceptura, Tohani – Gura fauna is represented by trout, and in the rivers Vadului; the production of vegetables in field mrene Hill Pikes, carp and predatory. crops (Filipeştii de Târg, Târgşoru Vechi, Prahova is among the counties with the most Blejoi, Bucov), under crops (Puchenii Mari, numerous natural reserves, which include Balta Doamnei) [11]. geologic complexes and floristic habitats, and The network of county roads include: 6 also fauna [5]. national roads routes: 1 the european road- Human potential of the county is given the route E60; 5 main national roads; 70 County existence of: archaeological, architectural and roads; 207 communal roads. art ensembles of civil and religious memorial Length of public roads classified from houses, tourist resources of cultural, ethno- Prahova County is 2,189 km, representing folkloric manifestations [9]. 2.8% of the total public roads from Romania. Among the most important cultural attractions The density of roads in the County of Prahova in the area, specific