Ways of promoting cultural ecotouri

Ways of promoting cultural ecotourism for local communities outlines scientific solutions that back the social
development and contribute to the improvement of its human condition. The tourists’ guidance towards cultural
circuits is more and more evident (according to studies made by Euromonitor). As a result for this phenomenon in
order to attract visitors it is at a world level that the promotion of cultural and natural trumps is made.With an original
offer, a unique one Sibiu county can be successful in tourism and mostly in cultural ecotourism. By using the
experience gained in the project “Sibiu Cultural European Capital” we consider that cultural ecotourism is an
opportunity for Sibiu to become ecotouristic and cultural destinations on the European touristic map, not only for
foreign visitors, but for Romanians too, with benefits on local communities within the rural environment and will
contribute to the increase of rendering visible Sibiu county that can become landmark in intercultural and multicultural
tourism. Backing culture can be done by developing ecotourism and mutually too, the ecotouristic potential can be
turned into account through culture.
This research includes regular surveys of visitors, analysis of tourism flows and other statistics for Sibiu County,
between 2009 and 2013. The evaluation report showed that the programme had successfully met many of its shortterm
objectives, attracting large numbers of visitors, increasing cultural participation, and improving the image of the
city in Romania and abroad. Since 2007, it is clear that visitors to the city have been visiting an even wider range of
attractions. As Sibiu has developed its tourismand cultural product, the visitor experience has improved as well. The
ECOC in 2007 did not in itself produce an increase in the quality of the experience, but it seems that the legacy of the
event is a notably increased visit quality. The image of Sibiu has remained fairly positive since 2007. The strength of
its image as a city with a rich history, culture, and art has increased slightly, as has its image as a European city.
Sibiu is seeing as a friendly, historic city of culture and art, which shows the positive image impacts of the ECOC
and other recent developments. The image of Sibiu in relation to other cultural destinations in Europe has also
improved, reflecting the increased quality of the tourism offer. The relatively high scores for Sibiu as a cultural
destination are of course caused mainly by Romanian respondents – Sibiu tends to score lower among foreign visitors
than other European cities.
Sibiel has been chosen as location for this project because it has an old tradition (before 1989) and, more recently,
holds the “Golden Apple” trophy for the hospitality of the people and the well-established agro-tourism.
Statistical data on the evolution of tourism indicators in Sibiu County, in 2009-2013, shows increasing interest
manifested both among tourists from Romania and abroad