Romanian rural tourism development a case study: rural tourism in Maramures

International Journal of Business Research, July, 2007 by Adina L. Negrusa, Smaranda A. Cosma, Marius Bota

The most important issues related to the capacity of Romanian tourism in the international market in the last 6 years are the growth trend of the foreign tourists' arrivals and the high rate of increasing foreigners in the rural tourism, the annual average is around 34%. In this context we make a correlation between this trend and the results of a set of studies done by our tourism ministry in order to analyse the international potential market. Based on them we concluded that in general in the European market there is a high interest for the following areas from Romania: Transylvania coming first for the medieval cities and ancient castles; Bucovina is in the second position, being interest for the painted monasteries and traditional artefacts; Maramures was in the 3rd position due to the rural tourism and cultural heritage In conclusion we can say that the Romanian tourism image in the international market starting to be identifiable and related with the elements of cultural, eco and rural tourism. In this circumstances we appreciate that the promotion strategy in European market should be concentrated on these elements, highlighting the areas connected.

3. POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM IN MARAMURES

Maramures is located in north-north western Romania. The historic Maramures region is less than 500 square km. To the south lie the volcanic ranges of Oas, Gutai and Tibles. The Rodna range guards Maramures eastern border. To the northeast rises the wild and unexplored range of the Maramures Mountains. The northern border of Maramures and Romania is the Tisa River.

The historical Maramures is the most fitted region for ecotourism and rural tourism due to its beautiful mountain regions combined with the villages situated along the four valleys--Mara, Cosau, Iza and Viseu. Maramures is in the 3rd position on the national hierarchy taking into account the number of rural pensions and in the 4th position based on rural tourists units in general.

In the historical Maramures the natural beauties motivate the tourist looking for camping and ecotourism to go up in the mountains. Tourists looking just for rural tourism are entering an interesting world of Maramures villages where history, traditions, the art and music are present in the every day life of the local people.

A culture of wood workers and craftsmen was born and lives to this day. This work could be seen in its wooden churches carved since 14th century. These churches are today a main tourist attraction. Known throughout the world, these churches represent a unique element of wooden architecture on the European continent. Also immense wooden gate marks the entrance to the individual Maramures homestead. In the past, the dimension of the gate suggested the family status in the community and the idea is still present today. Various objects of wood are used in every house from simplest wooden spoons and yarn spindles to wooden bottles or gourds used at the weddings. As guests in the Maramures houses, tourists can see how blankets and rugs are weaved from thick wool and are decorated with traditional models.