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Can We Talk about Smart Tourist Villages in Mărginimea Sibiului, Romania?

Author

Listed:
  • George Moise

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 5-7 Ion Ratiu Street, 550003 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Agatha Popescu

    (Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, 59 Mărăști Boulevard, District 1, 011464 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Iulian Alexandru Bratu

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 5-7 Ion Ratiu Street, 550003 Sibiu, Romania)

  • Ion Răducuță

    (Faculty of Animal Productions Engineering and Management, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest, 59 Mărăști Boulevard, District 1, 011464 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Bogdan Gabriel Nistoreanu

    (Faculty of Business Administration in Foreign Languages, Academy of Economic Studies, Piața Romană, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mirela Stanciu

    (Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Food Industry and Environmental Protection, ”Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, 5-7 Ion Ratiu Street, 550003 Sibiu, Romania)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to evaluate some villages in the mountain area of Sibiu County, Romania, as “smart” tourist villages. The research was carried out in two stages: Stage 1 was collection of information on (a) food products registered in different national and international quality schemes and (b) the number of tourist structures by type, comfort category, and accommodation capacity. Stage 2 was a case study conducted among 32 rural tourism entrepreneurs from 3 villages in Mărginimea Sibiului, using a questionnaire with 22 items on the criteria for evaluation of “smart” villages. The answers were systematized, statistically processed, and interpreted. The main results are as follows: (a) Concerning products, producers, and gastronomic points (PGL) registered, there are 9 products in the quality scheme “mountain product”, 10 producers on the platform “Gusturisibiene”, 1 producer of “telemea de Sibiu”, a registered product with protected geographical indication, and 2 PGL. (b) The number of officially registered tourist structures is 93, of which 72% are agritourism guesthouses. (c) The results for the evaluation of villages as “smart” are that 78.2% of locals use the internet, 74% own at least one smart device, 60.16% of energy used is renewable. There are low values of water and air pollution; there are local job and business opportunities (93.75%); future local development activities will target agriculture with all its sectors and agritourism; public administrations have implemented 7 types of activities to increase the attractiveness of localities; and quality of life, services, and social life aspects are perceived to be at high standards.

Suggested Citation

  • George Moise & Agatha Popescu & Iulian Alexandru Bratu & Ion Răducuță & Bogdan Gabriel Nistoreanu & Mirela Stanciu, 2023. "Can We Talk about Smart Tourist Villages in Mărginimea Sibiului, Romania?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:7475-:d:1138179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.

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