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Profiling Visitors to Romanian Ecotourism Destinations

Author

Listed:
  • Cristinel Petrișor Constantin

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Vasile Papuc-Damașcan

    (Association of Ecotourism in Romania, 500051 Brașov, Romania)

  • Andrei Blumer

    (Association of Ecotourism in Romania, 500051 Brașov, Romania)

  • Ruxandra-Gabriela Albu

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Titus Suciu

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Adina Nicoleta Candrea

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

  • Ana Ispas

    (Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Brașov, 500036 Brașov, Romania)

Abstract

Visitors’ increasing interest in nature-based and cultural tourism, especially in the context of ecotourism destinations, has generated a heated debate in tourism literature. Some authors consider that ecotourism should be approached through a niche strategy rather than through mass marketing. Therefore, identifying the main characteristics of visitors to ecotourism destinations is very important in setting management and marketing strategies adapted to their specific needs. The present paper aims to identify the profile of visitors to Romanian ecotourism destinations, considering the ecotourism potential of this country and the scarcity of empirical studies on these types of destinations. To reach this aim, a survey was conducted in four Romanian ecotourism destinations. By computing the data collected from a sample of 1157 visitors, four visitor segments have been identified based on a single characteristic (visit purpose). Crosstabulation and Chi-square analysis were used in order to identify the profiles of these segments. The results reveal that most of respondents are nature travellers, followed by culture travellers. The findings may be used by ecotourism destination managers in order to target specific market segments and establish proper management and marketing strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristinel Petrișor Constantin & Vasile Papuc-Damașcan & Andrei Blumer & Ruxandra-Gabriela Albu & Titus Suciu & Adina Nicoleta Candrea & Ana Ispas, 2021. "Profiling Visitors to Romanian Ecotourism Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2958-:d:513379
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Blanca Estela Bernal Escoto & Nancy Imelda Montero Delgado & Flavio Abel Rivera Aguirre, 2021. "Strategic Analysis of Sustainable Tourism in Baja California against COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, April.
    3. Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Conrado Carrascosa-López & Wilmer Carvache-Franco, 2022. "Market Segmentation by Motivations in Ecotourism: Application in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Tiantian Guo & Jidong Wang & Chen Li, 2022. "Spatial–Temporal Evolution and Influencing Mechanism of Tourism Ecological Efficiency in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-16, December.
    5. Cosmin Alin Popescu & Tiberiu Iancu & Gabriela Popescu & Tabita Adamov & Ramona Ciolac, 2023. "The Impact of Agritourism Activity on the Rural Environment: Findings from an Authentic Agritourist Area—Bukovina, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-23, June.
    6. Priyan Perera & Shashini Tara Mallikage & David Newsome & Richard Vlosky, 2022. "Profiling of Shelter Campers, Their Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Environmental Impacts of Campsite Use and Management: Evidence from National Parks of Sri Lanka," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.

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