DEVELOPING A CROSS-BORDER CULTURAL ROUTE. A QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROPOSAL

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide some important insights about the development of cultural routes in Romania, and, as well, to propose a framework for the evaluation of the quality delivered, taking into consideration ”on the spot” infrastructure and services that should be available, in order to mediate a positive experiences to the tourists. The items compiled in a pilot-assessment questionnaire were tested on the field, for a cross-border cultural route, that was developed some years ago, in cooperation, by the tourism national authorities from Romania and Republic of Moldova: “Stephen the Great” cultural route. The paper presents some relevant insights about the cultural routes and their importance for the promotion of the heritage of different European cultures. The literature review covers mainly the impact of the cultural routes for the promotion of the heritage of the regions that are crossed by, and the growing importance that the routes gained in the last years. The undertaken research brings a critical approach to the development of routes in the incipient stage, especially, and reiterate the challenge to create a coherent and positive tourism experience, by combining different tourism objectives in a thematic trail. The aim was to identify some relevant factors that could be compiled in a quality assessment tool, that could be used for the evaluation of the cultural routes. Similarities with the Index of Destination Attractiveness (IDA) are as well discussed. The paper concludes with recommendations for the tourism stakeholders involved in the process of development the cultural routes. At the same time, the paper opens the field for future research on the quality of the tourism experience on the cultural routes.

Keywords

• cultural route
• attractiveness assessment
• destination management
• cultural tourism