USV Annals of Economics and Public Administration (Dec 2023)
RĂŞINARI, BIERTAN AND RÂU SADULUI – TOP RURAL TOURIST DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE
Abstract
Tourism is called upon to play the role of facilitator of sustainable development, to lead collaboration with interest groups and local communities to decide jointly on the development of destinations. After the last difficult and challenging years, tourism has shown its resilience and ability to once again represent the percentage of GDP of many of the countries it owned before the pandemic. The WTO launched in 2021 the "Best Tourism Villages" initiative with the aim of transforming tourism into an engine for rural development and well-being and bringing about real change in local communities by creating jobs, supporting local businesses and preserving customs and traditions. The initiative recognizes villages that are an example of a rural tourist destination with cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote the values, products and lifestyles of communities, and that have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability. Romania is very well positioned at international level, from the point of view of rural tourism. Six localities have entered the competition "Best Tourism Villages" (2022), dedicated to the recognition of villages that are remarkable examples of rural tourist destinations. These are Biertan, Răşinari and Râu Sadului (Sibiu County), Ciocăneşti (Suceava), Costeşti (Vâlcea), Eibenthal (Mehedinţi). In the work we analysed the criteria that formed the basis for the selection of the three villages in Sibiu County, namely: the cultural and natural resources in the destination, the promotion and conservation of cultural resources, the economic, social and environmental sustainability, the governance and prioritization of tourism, infrastructure and connectivity, health, safety and security, as well as the photos and presentation videos. Răşinari village is the big winner of Romania's second edition of the world competition Best Tourism Villages, being selected by the specialists of the WTO, from over 130 applications, coming from 57 countries.
