The impact of tourism with vacation homes (second homes) on the rural environment at the Fântânele Reservoir- Apuseni Nature Park

Abstract

The quality of the natural landscape and the presence of Fântânele Reservoir, have long been identified as one of the key motives for second home tourism - as one of the patterns of tourism development - in Cluj county from Apuseni Nature Park. Given the fact that lately, the number of vacation homes (second homes) is continuously increasing, this generates negative effects on the natural environment both of its construction and use. Therefore, this is the reason why the study proposes to identify, analyses and exemplify the main tendency of vacation home (second home) tourism and its environmental impact with direct reference to Fântanele Reservoir located in Apuseni Nature Park. The study used a methodology that involved a direct research on the field, inventory of the number of second homes and geospatial analysis through processing and interpretation of data obtained, in the form of cartographic support. The results indicate that majority of second home are located in vulnerable natural areas, in inappropriate places, without respect any legislation restriction imposed by natural area status.

Keywords

• Lake tourism
• vacation homes
• natural environmental impact