2015 - The Year Of Tourism Revival In Oradea

This paper presents a case study on the endeavours taken by public institutions in Bihor County in order to revitalize tourism in Oradea. According to the official website of Oradea Municipality, there are several ongoing projects in 2015, most of them aimed at raising Oradea’s tourism at European standards. Projects which are currently in progress are focused, in particular, on developing the cultural and historic heritage (by conserving the history of places, buildings, customs and other works by men) and valorising the geothermal resources of which it benefits. Most projects are carried out through the Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013, Priority Axes 1 ”Support to sustainable development of cities – urban growth poles” and 5 – ”Sustainable development and promotion of tourism”. Actually, the completion of these projects aims to diversify and improve tourism services in Oradea, on the one hand, by creating modern leisure services (of the Aqua park, Spa, Wellness type), and on the other hand, by rehabilitating and modernising the cultural and historical centre of Oradea (Piața Unirii [Union Square] and Vasile Alecsandri Street). Moreover, Oradea City App was created, available in Romanian and English, in order to provide the user with complex information both on tourist attractions, accommodation and catering establishments that are available in Oradea and Băile Felix, as well as on the possibilities for leisure (theatre, movies, concerts, fairs, exhibitions, sports facilities, etc.). This year also, on May 10, 2015, it was decided that a referendum will be held in order to request the territorial merger between Oradea and Sînmartin which would lead to ranking Oradea in the league of large cities. According to mayors Ilie Bolojan (Oradea) and Lucian Popuș (Sînmartin) “the purpose of this endeavour is the joint development of the two localities, by numeric increase of the population, in order to ensure economic development, tourism revival by highlighting the architecture of the city and by developing the hydro-thermal resorts of Băile Felix and 1 Mai, located within the area of Sînmartin commune, respectively by attracting European funds”. Upon successful outcome of the Municipality referendum, Oradea could become an attractive tourist destination, both at national and international level.