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Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index: From Theoretical Definition to Practical Analysis in Romania

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  • Andrei-Florin Băbăț

    (Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

  • Mirela Mazilu

    (Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

  • Amalia Niță

    (Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

  • Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa

    (Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

  • Mihaela Grigore

    (Geography Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Craiova, 13 A. I. Cuza Street, 200585 Craiova, Romania)

Abstract

The competitiveness of tourist destinations presents, from the perspective of sustainability, certain benefits in terms of local and regional development: the involvement of local authorities (city, local and county councils, population) in the conservation of tourist resources, the involvement of tourism agencies in the promotion of rural areas, the creation of brands for each tourist destination/region and the protection of cultural-historical heritage from degradation. Competitiveness, as a segment of sustainability, integrated in Romanian local communities, is necessary in order to offer tourists an unmistakable experience of the natural and anthropogenic tourism potential of destinations, to raise the population’s awareness, to preserve traditions, customs and habits and to practice tourism based on sustainability, awareness and without any pollution of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This study aims to highlight the image of Romania’s tourism competitiveness, which could support the tourism economy in the long term, by analysing the Global Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index (TTCI) in Romania, compared to two other neighbouring countries, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Global Competitiveness Index provides an integrative picture of the main sub-indices that interfere in the formation of a country’s competitiveness, with insights on the 12 pillars that intervene in the sustainable development of tourist destinations worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrei-Florin Băbăț & Mirela Mazilu & Amalia Niță & Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa & Mihaela Grigore, 2023. "Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index: From Theoretical Definition to Practical Analysis in Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:13:p:10157-:d:1180051
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    2. Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa & Amalia Niță & Mirela Mazilu & Gheorghe Curcan, 2023. "Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Trends of Major Agricultural Crops in Romania Using Interactive Geographic Information System Mapping," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-25, October.
    3. Liliana Popescu & Claudia Daniela Albă & Mirela Mazilu & Cristina Șoșea, 2023. "‘Should I Go or Should I Stay?’ Why Do Romanians Choose the Bulgarian Seaside for Their Summer Holiday?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    4. Mihaela-Iuliana Desculțu Grigore & Amalia Niță & Ionuț-Adrian Drăguleasa & Mirela Mazilu, 2024. "Geotourism, a New Perspective of Post-COVID-19-Pandemic Relaunch through Travel Agencies—Case Study: Bucegi Natural Park, Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-52, January.
    5. Vidina Tais Díaz-Padilla & Irena Travar & Zamira Acosta-Rubio & Eduardo Parra-López, 2023. "Tourism Competitiveness versus Sustainability: Impact on the World Economic Forum Model Using the Rasch Methodology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Federica Epifani & Donatella Valente, 2023. "Sustainable Governance of Tourism-Based Social–Ecological Landscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.

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