Scholarly record

RURAL TOURISM - A DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. CASE STUDY: CARAS-SEVERIN

Theodor Muntean, Larisa-Elena Briscan, Tiberiu Iancu, Ramona Ciolac, Tabita Adamov

Abstract

Rural tourism represents an important instrument for the sustainable development of local communities, contributing to economic diversification, job creation, and the valorization of natural and cultural resources. Caras-Severin County benefits from significant tourism potential. This study aims to analyze the role of rural tourism as a driver of sustainable development, with a focus on its economic, social, and environmental impact. Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire administered to the local population and to operators in the rural tourism sector. The questionnaire targeted the main dimensions of sustainable development: economic (income, employment), social (quality of life, migration), and infrastructural (access to utilities and services). The sample was selected from rural areas with tourism potential in Caras-Severin County. The analysis method used is statistical regression, aimed at identifying the relationship between the level of rural tourism development (independent variable) and sustainable development indicators (dependent variables). The data were processed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods to highlight correlations and their significance. The obtained results highlight the existence of a significant positive relationship between the development of rural tourism and the improvement of socio-economic conditions, such as increased income, reduced migration, and the development of local infrastructure, confirming its role as a determining factor in sustainable development. These findings are consistent with the specialized literature, which emphasizes the contribution of rural tourism to demographic stability and the improvement of quality of life in rural areas. Rural tourism can represent a strategic direction for the sustainable development of Caras-Severin County, requiring the implementation of integrated policies and strategies to efficiently capitalize on existing potential. Several challenges are identified, including limited access to funding, insufficient promotion of rural destinations, and disparities in infrastructure development. However, the expansion of rural tourism can significantly contribute to the long-term sustainability of rural areas, supporting economic growth, social cohesion, and environmental conservation.

Publication details

Back to publication list