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Geotourism, a New Perspective of Post-COVID-19-Pandemic Relaunch through Travel Agencies—Case Study: Bucegi Natural Park, Romania

Author

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  • Mihaela-Iuliana Desculțu Grigore

    (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)

  • Mirela Mazilu

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

Abstract

The proposed approach—geotourism, a new medium- and long-term post-pandemic recovery perspective—provides a theoretical foundation for future research regarding the interactions between tourism agencies and tourists, visitors and landforms, as well as cooperation and support between local residents and tourists, for Bucegi Natural Park. In the current context, the nature monuments and nature reserves within the park are located in rural and urban areas. These can be capitalized and included directly in the tourism agencies’ supply, and they can be used for zonal and regional development without degrading the surrounding environment. The “Babele and the Sphinx” landmarks with interesting shapes offer benefits for the development of geotourism in the Romanian landscape. In addition to those listed previously, this study proposes and analyses the image of the geotourism destination and a slogan for the international promotion of the park. Thus, the research presents two sources of data collection: (1) primary data, i.e., those obtained following a questionnaire and analysed with the help of the SPSS Statistics software, version 15.0, and (2) secondary statistical data from the database of the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) that are available and constantly updated. Another method used with a significant impact on tourism analysis was represented using the Geographic Information System (GIS). With its help, we mapped the tourist routes and the two elements, nature reserves and nature monuments within the park, that constitute the basis of the geotourism relaunch after COVID-19. The final objective of the paper is to strengthen the role of travel agencies in promoting geotourism by offering visits to tourist attractions in the park.

Suggested Citation

  • 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 1-49, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:3:p:985-:d:1324931
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    1. Alonso-Almeida, María del Mar & Giglio, Carlo & Iazzolino, Gianpaolo, 2024. "A cross-country analysis of decision-making factors influencing tourists’ shift towards circular destinations in EU-27," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).

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