COMPETITIVENESS IN THE TOURISM SECTOR. THE CASE OF ROMANIA

Abstract

In an attempt to identify the competitive advantages in tourism of Romania, the paper examines the theoretical approaches and quantification methods of a country's competitiveness in tourism and travel. Using the World Economic Forum framework and the research methodology of Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index, the paper highlights the main challenges facing the Romania's tourism sector, the Romania’s competitiveness in tourism profile and also Romania's competitive advantages in tourism. The paper analyzes the factors responsible for the poor performance of the Romania’s tourism sector compared to other countries from the region and despite it’s certain touristic potential and concludes that Romania must exploit and properly promote the competitive advantages identified through an integrated, simple and clear strategy.

Keywords

• tourism and travel industry, competitiveness in tourism and travel, competitive advantages in tourism, Tourism and Travel Competitiveness Index,