PERSPECTIVES OF RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CARAS-SEVERIN COUNTY

FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL PERSPECTIVES OF RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN CARAS-SEVERIN COUNTY LUCIA NEGRUŢ 1, SILVIA VLAD 1 1 University of the West Timisoara, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Street J.H..Pestalozzi, nr. 16, 3115 Email: lucia.negrut@e-uvt.ro silvia.vlad@e-.uvt.ro Abstract: In this research we aimed to highlight aspects of rural tourism development in Caras Severin County and tourist traffic indicators to highlight the tourist offer in terms of accommodation, food and entertainment, but also the number of tourists arriving in this area recent years, both Romanian and foreign tourists. Key words: rural tourism, tourism indicators, development JEL Code: O4, P42 INTRODUCTION Viewed as a whole, rural tourism is the activity in rural areas, namely: accommodation, events and celebrations, leisure activities, etc. Defining rural tourism seems, at first glance, to be very clear, but considering rural spaces, some specific problems related to the areas visited by tourists can appear. These problems are related to buildings and population density, the variate ways of using land, the types of ownership and the characteristics of households. After J.W. Kloeze, the concept of rural tourism contains all tourist activities developed in the rural area. An alternative to this definition is given us by P. Nistoreanu: Rural tourism is a concept that encompass tourist activities organized and managed by the local community, d on a close connection with the ambient and the human environment. According to D. Matei, rural tourism includes several activities, services and facilities provided by farmers, peasants and rural residents in order to attract tourists in their area, which generates additional income for their business. This latter definition emphasizes rural tourism versus tourism activities that take place in coastal areas, urban areas or in the winter sports, places where constantly tourists themselves and their exclusive nature of any relationship significant local population which constitutes the human environment. Therefore, we believe that rural tourism is a type of tourism that takes place in rural areas and that entails the use of local tourist resources and the participation of tourists at local traditional activities. By rural tourism we do also mean the accommodation and feeding of tourists in specific tourist accommodation (boarding houses, rural locations, farms etc.). 82

LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XVII (4) MATERIALS AND METHODS Rural tourism is an alternative to traditional tourism, developed in resorts and tourist centers and the "standard" industrially scaled, tourist offer. It becames now necessary to understand what do we mean by rural environment or rural space. The term of rural turism has different senses by different countries. In Finland, for example, usually means rental of chalets or providing services such as transport and food, in rural areas. In Hungary is often used the term "village tourism", indicating that the only activities and services offered in the villages are included in this type of tourism, namely: accommodation at low prices, envolvment in farming or other local activities. In Slovenia the most important kind of rural tourism is tourism on farms done by different families, where guests are living together with farmers families or in guest houses, while visiting the farm to dine or to explore the farmyard. In the Netherlands rural tourism means especially accommodation in farms where the most part of services offered are related to routes such as cycling and horse riding. In Greece rural tourism is associated to accommodation in rooms furnished in traditional style with traditional breakfast - often prepared from products made in house. In Italy the term indicates those areas that are neither urban nor coast areas therefore including mountainous regions. In Ireland and England it is virtually synonymous with the the concept of "countryside". Spain, Portugal tend to assimilate rural areas with the places where agricultural production is achieved. We find that - at least in Europe - the term "rural environment" has different meanings. Rural tourism can be analyzed and followed in its development through a system of specific indicators that should provide timely information on: tourism demand, tourism supply, measurable results of tourism and the quality of activities in tourism. We will present, as follows, an analysis of all existing tourist accommodation structures in some locations from our area of research: Văliug, Gărâna, Brebu Nou and Semenic in recent years and some indicators, as follows: number of tourists, number of nights/day-tourist, average number of tourists. RESEARCH AND RESULTS Tourism offers are represented by touristical attractions (both natural and anthropogenic), that influence directly tourism consumption and the phenomenon as a whole. Basic services in tourism are: accommodation, food and entertainment. All these do have a decisive role on tourists stay and travels. Thus, accommodation is representing night spending and leisure of tourists for a period of time in exchange for fees charged by the supplier that can vary according to the season and the level of comfort. We will present, as follows, an analysis of all existing tourist accommodation structures in some locations from our area of research: Văliug, Gărâna, Brebu Nou and Semenic in recent years. 83

FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL Table 1 Tourist Accommodation Structures Types of Tourist Accommodation Years Structures TOTAL 34 59 73 8 94 Hotels 4 8 9 9 7 Inns and Motels 2 2 5 3 4 Villas 4 7 6 1 11 Tourist Cottages 5 8 15 15 17 Campings 2 2 2 3 3 School and Preschool Camps 2 2 2 2 2 Boarding Houses 1 18 22 2 28 Rural locations 5 12 12 18 22 Source: The Statistics Department of Caraș-Severin Accommodation Units 1 8 6 4 2 Figure 1. The Evolution of the Number of Accommodation Units 29-213 The number of units of accommodation has grown every year, d on the growth of the number of tourist cottages, boarding houses and rural locations. Table 2 Absolute and relative changes in accommodation capacities 29 213 Years Level index Absolute changes The Index of dynamics Absolute change: : Δi213/29 = 94 34 = 6 : Δi213/212 = 94 8 = 14 The index of dynamics: : I213/29 = 94/34 * 1 = 276,47% : I213/212 = 94/8 * 1 = 117,5% 84 The average growth rate (%) 29 34 1 21 59 25 25 173,52 173,52 73,52 73,52 211 73 39 14 214,7 123,72 114,7 23,72 212 8 46 7 235,29 19,58 135,29 9,58 213 94 6 14 276,47 117,5 176,47 17,5 Calculations for the Year 213

LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XVII (4) Average rate of growth: : R = 276,47 1 = 176,47% : R = 117,5 1 = 17,5% Based on the data shown in Table no.2 we can notice that the number of accommodation structures has dropped in 211 by 23,72% compared to 21 and has grown by 114,7% versus 29, in the same year. In 212 can be seen a reduction of 9,58% compared to 211 and a growth from 29 by 135,29%. A growth for year 213 can be noticed compared to year 212, by 17,5%, and also compared to 29 by 176,47%. Tourist movement is the element reflecting the way and the level of the exploitation of tourism potenyial. The dimensions of the toristic phenomenon in Caraș Severin County are calculated d on statistical data provided by the County s Statistics Department and some indicators, as follows: Number of tourists (NT) Number of nights/day-tourist (NDT) Average duration of stay (DS) Average number of tourists (Nt) Density of tourist movement (D) The number of tourists (NT) is a quantitative indicator that measures the number of people travelling beyond their residence location, motivated by a different incentive than payed work and who are staying at least one night in a tourist accommodation unit. Table 3 The Number of Tourists Stayed in Caraș Severin County between 29 213 Year Total Romanian tourists Foreign tourists 29 121675 92357 29318 21 248148 111529 136619 211 192576 13732 55544 212 214673 148639 6634 213 253149 15298 12851 Source: The Statistics Department of Caraș-Severin 3 25 2 15 1 5 Total Number of Tourists Figure 2 The evolution of Total Number of Tourists arrived in Caraș-Severin between 29-213 85

FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL 2 15 1 5 Romanian tourists Figure 3 The evolution of the Number of Romanian Tourists arrived in Caraș- Severin between 29-213 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Foreign Tourists Figure 4. The evolution of the Number of Foreign Tourists arrived in Caraș-Severin between 29-213 Based on data from Table no.3 we can notice an oscillating evolution of the total number of tourists arrived in Caraș-Severin for the first three years and an ascending trend for the years 212 and 213. This growth is due to the investments in the attractive sights of Caraș-Severin County. Table 4. Absolute and relative changes in the Number of tourists in Caraș Severin between 29-213 Years Number of Absolute changes The Index of dynamics The Average rate of growth (%) tourists 29 121675 1 21 248148 126473 126473 23,94 23,94 13,94 13,94 211 192576 791-55572 158,27 77,61 58,27-22,39 212 214673 92998 2297 176,43 111,47 76,43 11,47 213 253149 131474 38476 28,5 117,92 18,5 17,92 Calculations for the Year 213 Absolute change: : Δi213/29 = 253149-121675 = 131474 : Δi213/212 = 253149-214673 = 38476 The index of dynamics: : I213/29 = 253149/121675 * 1 = 28,5 % : I213/212 = 253149/214673 * 1 = 117,92% 86

LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XVII (4) Average rate of growth: : R = 28,5 1 = 18,5% : R = 117,92 1 = 17,92% Based on the data shown above we can conclude that the average rate of growth of the number of tourists has registered an oscillating evolution, as follows: in the year 21 compared to year 29 it has grown by 13,94%; in the year 212 versus 211 has grown by 11,47% and in 213 versus 212 was greater by 17,92%. In the year 211 the average rate of growth of the number of tourists has dropped by 22,39%., compared to 21. In the year 21 versus 29 the same indicator has been greater by 13,94 percent. In 211 compared to 29 the average rate of growth has grown by 58,27%, and in 212 compared to 29 has grown by 76,43%. In the year 213 versus 29 the same indicator was greater by 18,5%. Number of nights/day-tourist is representing the interval of 24 hours for that an individual is registered in the evidence of the tourist accommodation area and benefits of hosting for fee charged by accommodation. Table 5 Number of nights/day-tourist in Caraș-Severin between 29-213 Years Total Number of Romanian tourists Foreign tourists nights/day-tourist 29 96836 748727 21219 21 1318 794386 25932 211 154988 855569 199419 212 1191469 947783 243686 213 1279594 13797 241687 Source: The Statistics Department of Caraș-Severin 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Total Number of nights/daytourist Figure 5. The Evolution of the Number of nights/day-tourist in Caraș-Severin between 29-213 The Number of nights/day-tourist by romanian tourists has followed a growing trend. The Number of nights/day-tourist by foreign tourists had an oscillating evolution. This evolution is depending on the leisure time available for each person, or it can influenced by the time taken for the renovation or modernization of accommodation establishments or construction of new accommodation. 87

FACULTATEA DE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL Table 6 Absolute and relative changes in the Number of nights/day-tourist in Caraș Severin between 29-213 Years Number of nights/daytourist Absolute changes The Index of dynamics The Average rate of growth (%) 29 96836 1 21 1318 39482 39482 14 14 4 4 211 154988 94152 5467 11 15 1 5 212 1191469 23633 136481 124 113 24 13 213 1279594 318759 88125 133 17 33 7 Calculations for the Year 213 Absolute change: : Δi213/29 = 1279594 96836 = 318759 : Δi213/212 = 1279594 1191469 = 88125 The index of dynamics: : I213/29 = 1279594/96836 * 1 = 133 % : I213/212 = 1279594/1191469 * 1 = 17% Average rate of growth: : R = 133 1 = 33% : R = 17 1 = 7% In the period under review the total Number of nights/day-tourist has grown in 213 by 33% compared to year 29 and by 7% compared to year 212. This may be due to the increase of duration of the tourists stays or the number of their holidays. The average number of tourists indicates the intensity of tourist movement in a certain period of time or season. This can be determined for reasons of traveling, for tourism areas, for periods of time, for means of transport and also for the whole tourist activity. It is calculated as the ratio of number of registered tourists at a time and the number of days in that period. Table 7 The average number of tourists in Caraș Severin between 29-213 Years Number of tourists The number of days in the year 29 121675 365 333 21 248148 366 678 211 192576 365 527 212 214673 365 588 213 253149 365 693 Nt29 = 121675/365 = 333 Nt21 = 248148/366 = 678 Nt211 = 192576365 = 527 Nt212 = 214673/365 = 588 Nt213 = 253149/365 = 693 Average number of tourists 88

LUCRĂRI ŞTIINŢIFICE, SERIA I, VOL.XVII (4) 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Average number of tourists Figure 6. The average number of tourists in Caraș Severin between 29-213 From the analysis it can be seen that the average number of tourists has had an upward trend in 21 compared to 29 from 333 to 678. In 211 compared to 21 there was a decrease from 678 to 527. In the subsequent years development was increasing, from 527 to 588 in 212 compared to 211 and from 588 to 693 in 213 compared to 212. CONCLUSIONS Villages in Caras are the expression of the simplicity of rural life, subject to the penetration of modern elements existing in urban areas. This will lead to the loss of identity and originality of traditional rural life. We believe that Caras Severin County has a high tourist potential, considering all the elements that constitute the real attractions: natural resources, relief, hydrography, caves, hot springs, crafts, traditions and monuments. In order to bring a large number of tourists in this area, county needs a new look, investment in infrastructure, cleanliness, and especially in promotion. We propose a number of steps that can be taken in order to exploit tourist potential:- widening the materials: the creation of new hotels and motels in areas of interest, in particular the construction units 4 and 5 star accommodation to attract foreign tourists; investment in modernizing roads; modernization of existing spas toward the concept of SPA; development of religious tourism; creation of true mountain resorts; promoting tourist offerby both the traditional and online promotion; organization of events and festivities, activities of leisure resorts and cities in the county. REFERENCES 1. F. BRAN, P. NISTORESCU, T. SIMION, 2, Ecoturism, Ed. Economica, București. 2. I. IONESCU, 2, Turismul fenomen social-economic şi cultural, Bucureşti, Editura Oscar Print. 3. M. RODICA, 21, Economia turismului, Editura Uranus, Bucureşti. 4. P. NISTOREANU, 23, Ecoturism si turism rural, Ed. ASE București. 5. P. NISTOREANU, 1999, Turism rural. O afacere mica cu perspective mari, Ed. Didactica si Pedagogica, București. 6. P. NISTOREANU, G. TIGU, D. POPESCU, M. PADUREAN,A. TALPES, M. TALA, C. CONDULESCU, Ecoturism si turism rural editia a II-a, Editura ASE, București 7. G. ŢIGU, 22, Turism montan, Ed. Uranus, București 89