Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,

University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD

THE RURAL TOURISM IN ARAD COUNTY: DISTINCTIVE ASPECTS
AND PERSPECTIVES
Ph.D. Lecturer Sergiu Rusu, Romania
Ph.D. Associate Professor Isac Florin Lucian, Romania

Abstract: Romania owns a high tourism potential which is not sufficiently turned to account or
capitalized. Within the Romanian tourism, both rural and agrotourism, has an important place, this
importance being given by the following circumstances: within the total surface of the country and within the
population, the rural component has a high representation; extremely favorable conditions for tourism in rural
areas; turning into account and capitalizing the tourism potential is one of Romania’s main chance to obtain
economical and social progress. We have chosen this theme targeting the rural and the agrotourism from a
region (county) with high potential in this domain. Our studies have shown that, in Arad County, the potential
regarding the development of rural and agro-tourism is not sufficiently used, although different economic
agents are more and more concerned in creating accommodation facilities, and, implicitly, a supplementary
income.

Keywords: rural tourism, agrotourism, pension, tourism potential,county.

JEL: R00 - General

Theme: Tourism Planning and Regional Development Policies

Introduction. The context of this paper is to investigate or survey the present state of Arad County rural
tourism, as well as, its development potential. The rural tourism is a more and more experienced type of
tourism which offers, to those concerned, specific opportunities for leisure, entertainment and spare time
spending. The Arad County has a special potential for this type of tourism, a constant investment effort being
visible in the domain of settling rural type accommodation structures. However, this type of tourism is, still, in
a development stage, in a stage of searching its identity, an identity corresponding to the characteristics of the
Arad County rural areas. The aim of this paper is to underline the importance of searching this identity, to
estimate the condition of the rural tourism in the best known mountain tourism area of Arad County
(Moneasa), and, at the same time, to offer some suggestions for a future development of the rural tourism in
this region of Romania.

The concept of “rural tourism” and its importance

Trying to define the rural tourism concept seems to be an easy task, at the first sight. As Lane, quoted by
Sharpley & Sharpley (1997), suggests, the rural tourism “is the tourism which take place in the countryside”.
But, even this simple statement contains ambiguous elements. For example, the definition of “tourism”
concept may vary, and, at the same time, the term “rural area” may be difficult to be defined. Countries may
have different criteria to define an area as rural or non-rural (urban). Then, the term of “rural” can be both a
geographical element and a cultural one, making reference to the countryside communities.

Lane enumerates seven reasons for which a complex definition of the rural tourism is difficult to be made.
These reasons can be applied to all situations:

1. The urban tourism and the tourism relying on health resorts take place not only in urban areas but
in rural ones, too.
2. Even the rural areas are difficult to be defined since the defining criteria differ essentially.
3. Not any type of tourism taking place in rural spaces is a “rural tourism”. It may be a urban type of
tourism which is located in a rural pace. In this category, we may include the so-called “holiday
villages”.
4. Historically speaking, the tourism was, always, an urban concept; the great majority of tourists
live in an urban environment. The tourism may be sought as an urbanizing influence upon the
rural areas, an influence encouraging the cultural and economical changing and the new
constructions.
5. Different forms of rural tourism have been developed in different regions. Vacations of “farm
tourism” type can be encountered in many countries: Germany, Austria, very rarely, in USA and
Canada.
 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
6. The rural areas are in a continuous process of chancing. The impact of globalization, of
communications and of telecommunications has changed the market conditions and the
orientation towards the traditional products. The development of ecology has led to an increased
control of those from “outside” upon hoe to use the land and upon the resources development.
Although some rural areas are in full process of depopulation, others face a flow of population
which settles there, either after retirement or for practicing the new “non-traditional” businesses.
The difference, once very obvious, between rural and urban, has, now, almost disappeared, due to
urbanization, to distance two-way travels and to the occurrence of holiday houses.
7. The rural tourism is a complex activity, a multilateral one; it is not merely based on farms. It
includes holidays of “farm tourism” type, but, at the same time, it, also, includes natural holidays,
ecotourism, walks, climbing, riding, adventure, sports, hunting, study tourism, arts and tradition
tourism, and, in some areas, ethnic tourism. At the same time, there exists a general interest for
less specialized forms of tourism (Page & Getz, 1997).

Consequently, the rural tourism, in its purest form, should: (Page & Getz, 1997)

 Be performed in rural areas.

 Be rural from functional point of view, namely, to rely upon the special characteristics of the
village world, small units and open spaces, contact with nature and with the wild world,
traditions, societies and traditional practices.
 Observe the rural size (both for buildings and for locations), this meaning a small size.
 Have a traditional character, with a slow, organic development, be in connection with the local
families and be, in their great majority, locally controlled businesses, developed for a long-term
prosperity of the respective areas.
 Have different forms, representing the complex model of the rural space, economically,
historically and from the point of view of location.

The specificity of the rural tourism is based on a fundamental trilogy: (Buciuman, 1999)

- The receiving rural community, closely connected with history, traditions and old habits, is
characterized by a type of behavior dependent on a specific relationship system.
- The patrimony is determined by natural, cultural and artificial (built-up) elements.

This way, the rural tourism, is a form of tourism (Buciuman, 1999) performed in rural areas, turning into
account the local tourism resources (natural, cultural and economical), as well as, the tourism endowments and
equipment, rural and agro-tourism pensions / boarding houses, inclusively. This type of tourism uses different
accommodation spaces (inns, rural hotels, shelters, holiday villages, farms, etc.) and covers various forms of
tourism packages, with a large range of motivations: leisure and entertainment, transit, culture, discovery,
religion, sports, etc.

The rural tourism is an alternative to the traditional, classic tourism, performed in resorts and tourism centers,
as well as, to the “standard” offers of industrial type (Rusu & Isac, 2008).

A possible motivation for the development of the rural tourism and of agro-tourism is very persuasively
expressed by Dr. Andre Lwoff – laureate of The Nobel Prize: “When someone is an European living in the
noisy environment of the continental metropolis, he/she discovers and understands that, there, in the High
Land, as you, the Romanians, call it, can know and live the or experience the peace feeling…The beauty of the
visited monasteries, the ambient and the peace of nature, here are some reasons for which it crossed my mind
to settle there” (Mitrache, 1996).

The diversity of the Romanian village, as natural, cultural and historical tourism potential will determine, in
the future, new possibilities of rural tourism development. For this reason, in the following years, the
deficiencies of a negative policy regarding the systematization and planning of the rural space must be
remedied, in time and space.

The priorities will have to be established function of the degree of the economical and social development,
function of the future possibilities of tourism development, as well as, function of the degree of the rural
localities viability.

Study regarding the rural tourism practice in Moneasa, county of Arad area

The tourism potential of Moneasa resort

 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
Leaving behind the small Ranusa depression, the Moneasa Valley takes the shape of some gorges with abrupt
slopes. After about 1 kilometer, the traveler enters in Moneasa, a commune located alongside the narrow
valley bearing the same name. At 400 meters from the center of the commune, we face a small “buttonhole”
type depression where the beautiful health resort Moneasa (called the Pearl of the Apuseni Mountains) is
settled.

The commune of Moneasa is located in the south-west part of Codru Moma Mountains, at an altitude of 290
m, has a population of about 1500 inhabitants, surrounds the resort, as it is disposed both upstream and
downstream the resort, alongside the valley with the same name. In Moneasa, just in front of the Mayoralty
building (a former mansion), The Stone Cutter’s Monument is placed. This monument is dedicated to the
workers from the well-known local marble quarry.

The marble quarry from Moneasa is remarkable through the modern methods used for extracting the marble,
through the marble quality, and, especially, through the impressive landscape offered by it. At the base of
front, the black marble is extracted, and, at its upper level, the red one.

East of Moneasa, Jumelt colony is located. Here, we can find the iron melting oven, with a height of 10 m. It
was built in the middle of the 19th century, out of granite stone and brick inner cushion. This oven is an
important element proving the intense activity of iron processing, performed in Sebis-Moneasa area, in the 18 th
– 19th centuries.

The health resort Moneasa was well-known even in the 16 th century, especially due to its mezzo-thermal
springs. It was attested, for the first time, in 1597. The mezzo-thermal springs began to be used and turned into
account, on a large scale, after 1866. The construction of the most important buildings, such as, the baths
pavilion started after 1881. The thermal waters, which are bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and
hypotonic waters have a temperature of 25 – 320 C. They have a benefic effect in diseases such as: nervous
debility, motion problems and peripheral nervous system problems. This benefic effect is supplemented by the
fresh air, by the park surrounding the resort and by the neighboring forests.

The resorts has three hotels (Moneasa, Codru Moma and Parc), lot of villas and entertainment places such as:
discotheques (in the summer an open air discotheque), confectioner’s, restaurants, pubs, a library, etc. Another
very well known attraction points are the followings: a small artificial lake with boats and hydro-bikes and the
swimming pool.

Not far from Moneasa, on Tinoasa Mountain and Valea Viezurilor (the Badgers’ Valley), several caves can be
found. In their great majority they have oven - type access ways. That is why these caves are recommended
only to speleologists.

Short and interesting trips can be organized in the neighboring areas of the resort, among which we can
mention: Pestera Liliecilor (The Bats’ Cave) – 1 hour, Grota Ursilor (The Bears’ Grotto) – 10 min., Cuptorul
de Fier (The Iron Oven) – 10 min., Izvorul Piatra cu Lapte (The Spring Milky Stone) – 20 min. and Cariera de
Marmura (The Marble Quarry) – 45 min. then, very close to Moneasa, at the bottom of the fortress Dezna, the
Dezna Inn was reopened, in an absolutely marvelous place. For those who prefer longer mountaineering
routes, the routes from Codru Moma Mountains, with recently route marks, can offer unforgettable
impressions.

Economic aspects regarding the rural tourism in Moneasa area

For practical reasons, we have chosen three accommodation units / pensions, located inside the resort of
Moneasa. Our selection was governed by the fact that these units are representative units for the whole
assembly of the investigated area. We have to mention that, inside this area there are other pensions, as well,
but they have a secondary importance.

The pension “Cabana Dallas” (The Dallas Chalet) is located in Moneasa, in an area with a great tourism
potential, with beautiful landscapes and natural tourism points. The development of the rural tourism, in this
area, is supported by the domestic and foreign tourists’ demand for the local offer.

(Table nr. 1) The pension Dallas Chalet

Name of the pension / Location S.C. DALLAS Chalet – Moneasa

Number of rooms 17 rooms, 34 places
Number of Romanian tourists / year 1000
 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
Number of foreign tourists / year 10
Number of spent nights 7 days
Personnel (employees or family members) 7 employees (2 members of family)
Public nutrition (products supplied or own resources) From the commercial network
Incomes / year (RON) 183.800
Expenses / year (RON) 179.900
Profit (RON) 3.900
Type of pension 1 flower
Tariff / day (RON) 35-50
Number of phone 0257-313202

1. Profit / tourist:
3900
profit / tourist = = 3.861 Lei
1010

2. Income / tourist:
183800
income / tourist = = 181 .980 Lei
1010

3. Expenses / tourist:
179900
exp enses / tourist = = 178 .118 Lei
1010

4. Labor productivity:
income 183800
W = = = 26257 .142 Lei
personnel 7

5. Expenses / 1000 RON income:

179900
ChV = x1000 = 978 .78 Lei
183800

The villa “Lucia” is, also, located in Moneasa. It is a smart pension, full of warmth, a perfect place for
relaxation, at foot of the mountains. During our visit, the pension was in full refurbishment process, the owners
wishing to improve the conditions they offer to the tourists.

(Table nr. 2) The Villa “Lucia”

Name of the pension / Location VILLA “Lucia” – Moneasa

Number of rooms 3 rooms, 1 apartment, 8 places
Number of Romanian tourists / year 70 - 100
Number of foreign tourists / year 20
Number of spent nights 7 days
Personnel (employees or family members) 1member of family
Public nutrition (products supplied or own resources) From the commercial network
Incomes / year (RON) 8.500
Expenses / year (RON) 5.000
Profit (RON) 3.500
Type of pension 2 flowers
Tariff / day (RON) 50
Number of phone 0257-313103

1. Profit / tourist:
3500
profit / tourist = = 29 .166 Lei
120

2. Income / tourist:
8500
income / tourist = = 70 .833 Lei
120
 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
3. Expenses / tourist:
5000
exp enses / turist = = 41 .666 Lei
120

4. Labor productivity:
income 8500
W = = = 8500 Lei
personnel 1

5. Expenses / 1000 RON income:

5000
ChV = X 1000 = 588 .23 Lei
8500

The pension “Xenia” is located in the center of the resort, close by the hotel “Parc”, alongside the main road.
We have to mention that, unlike the other two pensions, the pension Xenia is characterized by special charm
given by its age and by the fact that it seems to be a lordly house.

(Table nr. 3). The Pension “Xenia”

Name of the pension / Location VILLA “Lucia” – Moneasa

Number of rooms 7 rooms, 18 places
Number of Romanian tourists / year 70 / 100
Number of foreign tourists / year 50
Number of spent nights 7 – 10 days
Personnel (employees or family members) 4members of family
Public nutrition (products supplied or own resources) From the commercial network and own
resources
Incomes / year (RON) 82.000
Expenses / year (RON) 70.900
Profit (RON) 11.100
Type of pension 1 flower
Tariff / day (RON) 50
Number of phone 0257 – 531185

1. Profit / tourist:
11100
profit / tourist = = 74 Lei
150

2. Income / tourist:
82000
income / tourist = = 546 .666 Lei
150

3. Expenses / tourist:
70900
exp enses / tourist = = 472 .666 Lei
150

4. Labor productivity:
income 82000
W = = = 20500 Lei
personnel 4

5. Expenses / 1000 RON income:

70900
ChV = X 1000 = 864 .63 Lei
82000

Conclusions
 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
In Romania, the rural tourism has been performed for more than 60 years. After 1989, it has passed through an
amplification process. At present, there are important organisms in the domain of rural tourism and of agro –
tourism, such as:

• The Commission for the Mountain Area (C.Z.M.R. since 1990)

• The Romanian Federation for Mountainous Development (F.R.D.M. since 1993)
• The Romanian Agency for Agro – tourism (since 1995)
• The National Agency for Rural, Ecologic and Cultural Tourism from Romania (A.N.T.R.E.C. settled
in 1994). At present it is the most important organism of this type, existent in Romania

Unfortunately, no branch of ANTREC can be found in Arad County or in Arad Municipality. This fact
negatively influences the rural tourism organization and promotion. There might be persons interested in
settling a business, but, who could not find sufficient information and who could not benefit of specialization
assistance given by a specialized organism.

In 2004, in Romania, there were 892 rural pensions (agro-tourism, inclusively). They have an accommodation
capacity of 2.276 thousand places, classified from 1 to 4 “daisies”. Out of the total number of pensions, only
12% are classified with 3 or 4 daisies. This fact generates a certain caution of the foreign tourists, who are
used with high comfort.

The 3rd millennium tourism will be marked by climate changing and care for planet. The agro-tourism and the
rural tourism can contribute to a durable development of the rural space, through the following actions:
(Glavan, 2003)

• A durable usage of the tourism resources (optimal exploitation, development, protection and
preservation)
• Maintenance of a natural, cultural and social diversity pf the rural space
• Integration of these two types of tourism inside the local, regional and national strategy
• Development and promotion of tourism offer by classic and modern means
• Construction of a general, technical and building infrastructure, in accordance with the demands of
a modern, civilized tourism
• Support for local economies
• Implication of the local communities and authorities in the tourism expansion and modernization
• Setting up associations to support the rural tourism and agro-tourism, inside the rural space
(between villages, communes or agro-tourism areas)
• Formation and training of managers and workers at a high level, in accordance with the demands of
a civilized tourism
• Extension of the promotion activities regarding the respective tourism areas, on domestic and
international tourism markets
• Promotion of a differentiate tourism offer, presenting the characteristics and peculiarities of the
different agro-tourism areas

The rural tourism from Arad County should observe the principles of a durable development, and, implicitly,
the principles of a durable, long-lasting tourism, as follows:

• The tourism activity must be initiated, by the local community, with its own means, the community
having, this way, the possibility of maintaining its control upon the tourism development
• The tourism must offer, to the residents, working places, contributing, this way, to the improvement
of local community life quality. There must be achieved an equilibrium, between the already
existent economic activity and the tourism activity.
• A code of practices for tourism must be established, at all levels: national, regional and local. The
code must rely upon already accepted international standards. Then, some guiding lines for the
tourism operators must be traced. The impact of the different tourism activities, as well as, the
acceptability limits for different areas, must be monitored
• The improvement of the management in the domain of natural and cultural resources needs
educational programs and training.

Bibliography
1. Buciuman, E.: Economia turismului rural şi agroturismului, Şcoala Superioară de Afaceri - Alba Iulia,
Facultatea de Economie şi Sociologie Rurală, Alba Iulia, 1999
2. Glăvan V., Turism Rural. Agroturism. Turism durabil. Ecoturism, Editura Economică, Bucureşti, 2003
3. Mitrache St., Agroturism şi turism rural, Ed. Fax Press, 1996
 Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Tourism, April, 22nd-25th,
University of Messina, Faculty of Economics, Italy, ISBN 978-88-96116-20-3, SGB Edizioni CD
4. Page S., Getz D., The Business of Rural Tourism, International Perspectives, Tourism and Hospitality
Management Series, International Thomson Business Press, 1997
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International Thomson Business Press, 1997.