R O M A N I A University of Oradea 1

The Adaptation of the Tourist Offer to the Requirements of

Proximity Tourism

Authors:Elena BOTEZAT

Ada Mirela TOMESCU

Paper presentation - 4-th International Scientific Conference in volume „Management in Function of Increasing the Tourism Consumption”, Opatjia, Croatia, 17 April, 2004.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 2

THE ADAPTATION OF THE TOURIST OFFER TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF

PROXIMITY TOURISMThe paper intend to present the idea

of shaping the tourist offer;

This should be more attractive for the

proximity indigenous population and

thus incomes in tourism should

increase.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 3

The tourism represents nowadays a powerful economic and social force (J.Ayres,1979).

We think that for countries as Romania the proximity tourism* is a very suitable form of tourism taking into account a range of specific factors on political, economic and social topics;* Proximity tourism = tourism (visit place of intrest, leasure in closeness of home)

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 4

We think that for the individual, it represents rather:

““SELFSELF DISCOVERYDISCOVERY BYBY MEETING MEETING

THE OTHERSTHE OTHERS””..

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 5

As time goes by, tourism becomes more

and more diverse, stretching from

Enjoyment (relaxation) to Entertainment and

even to the Evolution -as development of

human personality, the last one being the

most ambitious function of tourism

according to the “3E” theory.(Tomescu & Botezat, 2002)

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 6

“3E” Theory (Tomescu & Botezat, 2002)

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 7

Because some of us find spending their leisure time in quiet, away from the city jungle, seeking for something new, unusual, sometimes wild or geniune natural, ecologic, clean, certified etc. as relaxing;

Proximity tourism would be a way to achieve this expectation.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 8

Again we emphasize the determining

role of the tourist offer, which is

perceived as demand having the form

of an “image”, built by cumulating and

synthesizing all the information

received by each prospective tourist.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 9

Therefore, the decision of tourist

consume can be adopted only varying

with “the image of the offer”, the direct

contact with it being accomplished

only at the moment of the tourist

consume.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 10

In our opinion, in tourism activity the offer providers must make efforts in order to attract the proximity demand:

represents an important potential;

is much less sensible to conjuncture factors.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 11

Tourist offer of each country must be sustained first of all by its own citizens, which should constitute in a relatively stable income source.

The development of the proximity tourism, can be consider as an important reserve to increase the incomes in the tourist industry, and it has at its basis the development of some attractive tourist products.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 12

Short itineraries with a theme; itineraries in the proximity with adventures;Programmes for the week-end;Products for a day, or even haf-a-day;Etc. any product according to innovative production.

This offer may contain (can be shaped as following):

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 13

The product must fulfil the two essential functions:The conceived tourist objective function, a

concrete one, it appears as a result of the physical performances (characteristics) of the product, subjective function, psychological aspect -strongly connected to the emotional satisfaction offered.

These two functions are inseparably combined, being offered concomitantly to the consumer through the product either the useful effect as well as the emotional satisfaction.

Emotional satisfaction could induce pleasant memories and transform it into an “active militant” and a faithful customer.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 14

CONCLUSION

The development possibilities of such products are practically unlimited, we state this being conscious of the fact that only our inability to imagine more useful things than in the present manifests. We underline the fact that it is about the multiplying effect of tourism and an increased tourist circulation involves the increase of incomes from accommodation, nourishment, leisure, sales of goods, transport etc.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 15

CONCLUSION

Also we agree that it represents a solution for the future, being aware of the fact that the new attraction of holidays is being orientated towards four different fields of experiences lived, which are offered though simultaneously: the exploration experience, the biotic experience, the social experience and the optimising experience. [6]The attraction of the novelty of the exploration experience acknowledges different stages: from an ordinary walk to participating to a safari and it keeps alive the need for tourism, it makes it come back, it determines its regeneration.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 16

CONCLUSION

The biotic experience consists in discovering the unsuspected skills or abilities by the tourist itself within the field of a tourist location or on the itinerary like the itinerary tourism.

The manifestation of integration into social activities in a tourist location, accompanied by the satisfactions experienced within different micro-groups spontaneously created, represent the social experience.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 17

CONCLUSION

Finally, the optimising experience reunites an assembly of satisfactions expected by the tourist and meant to create the feeling of self outrunning, the feeling that it was better and the recent life experiences have added some value to its existence.Next steps are link to:

1. identify the local stakeholders2. identify the local resources;3. develop a local strategy concerning proximity tourism products;4. develop different types of tourist products.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 18

CONCLUSIONThere is such a model in France. We saw an initiative in region Vienne, where we had the opportunity to see an exchibition of proximity loisirs.

Three days were dedicated to present the local, proximity touristic resources (accomodations & restaurants, monuments, parks, museums, basis for leisure, sports, artisans and farmers, handicrafts etc.).

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 19

CONCLUSIONWe have a project to acomplish in our county Bihor (NW of Romania -an area of 7535 sqkm), toghether with Local Council we intend to organise an Exhibition for Proximity Tourism and Leasure. The target is to create the opportunity for the producers as well as for local consumers to know each other.

R O M A N I A University of Oradea 20

CONCLUSIONThe idea is:

“The people don’t need to go too far through the world to have fun and to find emotions!”

So:

Let’s look around to find the resources in the proximity!”

Promotion of the ”Proximity Tourism” is an opportunity to achieve higher tourist

spending.

21

Elena BOTEZAT, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer

Ada Mirela TOMESCU, Ph.D., Associate Professor

e-mail: ada.mirela.tomescu@gmail.com

Economics Faculty