Tourism Development in Rodna Mountains National Park: the Public Administration, a Key Stakeholder

The research paper approaches the sustainable tourism topic, which is discussed at national level and has a significant impact upon the economic development and the international image of Romania. Its objectives are to minimize the negative effects on the environment, to protect the cultural heritage and also to offer learning opportunities, including benefits for the local economy and contributing to the structural development of local communities. The case study is focused on Rodna commune. The research methods used are secondary data analysis, comparisons, analogies and syntheses, primary qualitative research (induction and deduction methods). It aims at identifying: the current situation of Rodna commune, the community's point of view regarding tourism development and, also, identifying opportunities for sustainable tourism development. The research results show that both the local administration and the owners are aware of the poor condition of local tourism, but they have also shown optimism about the future possibilities of restoring the initial economic well-being of the mining period. In this regard, predictions are that tourist arrivals will increase due to the rehabilitation of tourist spots, the future improvement of infrastructure and the increasing quality of accommodation services.</p

THE LOCALS’ OPINIONS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN RODNA COMMUNE

This study refers to sustainability, a much debated concept at global level. Because of the high levels of pollution and limited resources, sustainability has become an international goal. Furthermore, one of the engines for development in emerging economies is, of course, the tourism industry, which is also Romania’s case. Combining these two elements, the authors find that sustainable tourism development is both a long-term goal and a dynamic concept. This concept is represented by three pillars: growing the local economy, protecting and promoting the cultural heritage, and increasing the social well-being. The present paper consists of a case study that focuses on Rodna commune, a beautiful Transylvanian rural settlement, located in Bistrița-Năsăud County. The research methods used are secondary data analysis (based on the study of different statistics, guides, and specialized sites), comparisons, analogies and syntheses, primary qualitative research (based on face-to-face interviews with the locals), and induction and deduction methods, which all aim at identifying: the current position of Rodna commune from the socio-economic point of view, the locals’ opinion related to the sustainable development of the destination’s tourism industry, and also the ways in which this objective can be achieved. The subjects interviewed were selected in order to relevantly cover most of the local population: honor citizens, teachers, priests, doctors and students, each of them representing stakeholders in the development of the tourism industry. The research results show that the locals are aware of the strong connection between the development of tourism and the economic well-being of the commune, they helped identifying the major problems that need to be addressed and solved in order for this process to be efficient but also the fact that they are not yet aware of their role and do not acknowledge the ways in which they can make a difference for themselves and for the commune. The conclusions reveal the current situation of Rodna commune from the subjects’ points of view and their proposals for achieving better living standards. Also, the interviews show the lack of implication caused by the fact that the subjects are neither aware of their stakes, nor of their possibilities to help developing the local tourism. JEL Classification: L83, Q01, Z32

REGIONAL PLANNING FOR RODNA AS A TOURIST DESTINATION

This paper continues previous researches dedicated to highlighting the importance of planning from a managerial point of view and to discussing the regional dimension of planning, to which it adds up the current topic, that of rural tourism planning – features, particularities, approaches, multi-functionality of land use, collaboration and partnerships, negative planning, green economy, and case-studies. Bearing the theory in mind, a radiography of Rodna commune was briefly made, taking into consideration the following aspects: economy, locals, tourist flows, accommodation, tourists’ profile, food services, accessibility and transportation, travel agents, attractions and heritage, types of tourism, IT & C, sustainability, and traditions. The reason for the description of the commune is to properly understand the context and the particularities of the analyzed destination. Further, the steps of regional planning are revealed, and each of them is separately discussed and analyzed, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. The outcome is a strategy the community can adopt, with a vision, three directions, and several SMART objectives. This strategy is reflected in a document that aims to engage each stakeholder in the process, as well as to establish in a clear, comprehensive way the common framework. Also, there are several proposals for every community and destination that understands the importance of planning and its implications: collaboration, win-win approach, partnerships, the involvement of the community, sustainability in every dimension, and so on. JEL Classification: L83, Q01, Z32

Economic and financial crime in the forestry industry – developed vs. developing countries: Delitos económicos y financieros en la industria forestal: países desarrollados frente a países en desarrollo

Wood is one of the most important natural resources, used in construction and fencing, art (artworks and musical instruments), household uses (utensils and hand tools), wooden toys, furniture, shipbuilding, fuel, and stationary. Therefore, deforestation is an indispensable process to our society. However, deforestation does not have to mean smaller forestland, as it should be accompanied by afforestation. But this does not happen, partially due to illegal deforestation, that raises the deforestation level much higher than the sustainable one, and partially due to laws that permit legal deforestation to be above the durable limit, obviously for economic and political reasons The aim of this paper is to study the differences in the influence that economic and financial crimes (corruption, shadow economy, and money laundering) have on the rate of deforestation in developing versus developed countries. Recent data (from 2012 to 2020) is used for 185 countries from all over the world, in order to obtain updated and relevant results. The practical use of the findings is given by their relevance in finding efficient, adapted, and effective solutions for unsustainable deforestation (legal or not), for pollution, and for a cleaner air and environment, and for a better understanding of this phenomenon, by addressing it differently according to the level of development of a country. Also, this research is an attempt to raise awareness upon illegal deforestation and corruption. The regressions applied to the database show that both developed and developing countries present a direct connection between economic and financial crime and the level of deforestation, but in developed countries the influence of economic and financial crime on deforestation is lower. Therefore, the focus in reducing the deforestation by reducing the economic and financial crimes rate should be on developing countries, where the levels of corruption, shadow economy, and money-laundering are higher, and so is the deforestation rate

Economic and financial crime in the forest industry: internationally and in Romania: Delitos económicos y financieros en la industria forestal: internacionalmente y en Rumania

With poor quantitative academic research on the topic, this study aims at presenting an accurate picture of how corruption and logging are interconnected, at the international level, as well as in Romania. Researchers need to have a wide and updated view on this phenomenon when trying to find efficient solutions. For this, the most recent available secondary data (2012-2020) from multiple well-known sources are used for statistical processing, taking into consideration 185 countries, but they are also used to analyze the situation in Romania, where illegal logging is escalating. We found a positive relation between corruption, shadow-economy and money laundering, on one hand, and deforestation, on the other hand, as well as identifying multiple determinants such as the wealth of the country, the efficiency of the government, the protection of the environment, and the public health. In Romania, northern forests are more exposed to illegal logging because of the quality of wood, and counties like Suceava are famous for the red-blooded crimes that happen to the ones who try to protect the woods from illegal exploitation. This analysis' purpose is to raise awareness upon economic and financial crime in the forest industry. These findings are relevant in understanding the phenomenon of illegal deforestation, and it contributes to the adoption of efficient countermeasures that contribute to a healthier environment for all of us

Efficiency of Money Laundering Countermeasures: Case Studies from European Union Member States

The aim of this study is to present the trends and effectiveness of money laundering countermeasures from the perspective of a number of suspicious transactions reported to the Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), a number of analysis results submitted to law enforcement authorities, and the typologies of cases in European Union Member States. In order to determine the impact of the joint effort in the fight against money laundering, we used descriptive statistics to process the data and case studies from annual reports of the European FIUs for 2018 and 2019. The results of our study highlight the increase in the number of suspicious transactions notices, as well as in their quality level. There is an increasing tendency towards information exchange between European Union countries regarding the suspicion of money laundering, but there is no stable trend for referring cases to law enforcement and other responsible institutions. Based on the available data, it can be concluded that the EU anti money laundering measures are efficient, but further steps are needed to achieve higher international coordination and cooperation

Corruption, Shadow Economy and Deforestation: Friends or Strangers?

This study aims to reveal the connection between corruption and shadow economy, on one hand, and deforestation, on the other. The research considers 131 countries from all over the world, in the timeframe between the years 2012 and 2020, and it reveals that corruption and shadow economy positively influence deforestation. Determinants like democratic governance quality, press freedom, wood export share, and culture are also key factors in implementing the right, efficient countermeasures aimed at reducing the levels of illegal deforestation and sustainably managing the forestland. The importance of this study is to provide a solid quantitative basis to decision-makers that come across this problem of illegal logging through a better, fact-based understanding of the phenomenon

Corruption, deforestation, and tourism – Europe case study

Wood represents one of the most used natural resources: from construction to musical instruments, tools, toys, fuel, shipbuilding, and, not to mention, stationery, as it is indispensable for modern society. Europe has important wood resources, but for some countries, their sustainable exploitation is at least questionable. However, other countries prefer to monetize their natural resources by developing a competitive tourism industry. In this study, an analysis of European countries in terms of corruption, deforestation, and tourism is undertaken, in order to approach and discuss the specific characteristics and to identify the factors that determine a country to manage its natural resources in a sustainable way. The methodology used is quantitative, employing secondary data, resulting in different ways of data visualization. The main finding is that low levels of corruption and high levels of tourism competitiveness are associated with countries that manage their forests in a sustainable way. This confirms the research question: Competitive European destinations that enjoy the presence of well-established sustainable tourism products have managed to reduce the level of corruption and implement developed environmental policies, including forestland protection. The practical outcome of this paper is to point towards a long-term solution to decrease deforestation. In summary, sustainable development of the tourism sector must be part of the long-term initiatives to reduce the levels of illegal deforestation