Sustainable tourism types

Tourism development must be based on sustainability criteria, be long term bearable economically and ethically and socially equitable for the local populations of the destinations. Tourism forms identified by the literature as being “sustainable” are numerous: ecological tourism (ecotourism), green tourism, soft, rural tourism and agrotourism, community tourism, solidarity and responsible tourism, all these opposing to the traditional, mass tourism. According to some specialists only tourism in natural reservations or national parks is considered to be ecological. A larger concept of ecological tourism refers to that form of responsible travel, developed in natural spaces, that contributes to environment protection and local population life conditions improvement and wellbeing. Equitable tourism is a form of sustainable tourism aiming at applying in the tourism sector the principles of equitable commerce, respecting a series of criteria, that focus on respect of the residents and their life style, as well as sustainability of tourism progress for local communities. Solidarity tourism is about establishing a dialog, solidarity relationship between tourists and their hosts.tourism, sustainable, ecotourism, equitable, solidarity

An unusual clue in the diagnosis of primary Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome (SSj) is a chronic autoimmune disease mainly targeting the exocrine glands, but sometimes associating extra-glandular manifestations. Xerosis, purpura, Raynaud’s phenomenon, cutaneous vasculitis, annular erythema are the main forms of skin involvement. A 26-year-old female patient was admitted for diffuse erythematous rash and angioedema, xerophthalmia and symmetrical arthralgia of hand joints. Anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 antibodies were identified, Schirmer’s test was positive, thus the diagnoses of primary SSj and associated urticarial vasculitis were established. Treatment with oral methylprednisolone, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine was initiated, with favourable response over the next week. Patients with primary SSj that develop cutaneous vasculitis, lymphadenopathies or lymphopenia may be at risk for additional extra-glandular manifestations, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Marketing Research – Tool within the Leonardo da Vinci Program

Within the Leonardo da Vinci Program, phase II(EAC/11/04)-2006- the first priority pilot project “Development of new measures and tools that describe, promote and compare standards and qualifications at a European, national and divisional level”, there has been developed the New Hospitality Project (European Works without Borders). The project has run between October 2006 and October 2008 and has gathered partners from various countries. The accomplishment of research activities has contributed to the identification of methodologies and instruments of description, comparison and promotion of qualifications and competences within the hospitality industry, supporting transparency, recognition and transferability for developing employment opportunities and increasing sector’s competitiveness in the European related area. Desk research aimed towards the study and the analysis of demand and supply in the hospitality domain, the employees’ position in the hotel sector and the utilized competences and abilities certification systems. ). Desk research was completed by the development of a report made by each partner while the project coordinator has collected contributions of all partners and compared the results. Field research is based on desk research due to the fact that during this stage the common elements that appear (as well as the characteristics of hospitality structures and professional qualifications), are main indicators for both the construction of the sample and for the utilized tools content. The entire research done within the New Hospitality project has created an important database of information concerning minimum criteria for competency necessary in the hospitality industry.Leonardo da Vinci Program, The New Hospitality Project, research, market.

Tendencies for development in Tourist Air Transport Services in Romania in order to meet modern customers’ demands

At the moment, tourist transport is a complex phenomenon, and choosing one or another of the transport forms is subject to the influence of a series of factors regarding consumer behavior. Among different forms of transportation air transport has distinct and obvious advantages – short duration of transport for long distances, relative safety, comfort and prestige, high quality services on board and at terminal level, incentives, and accessibility to relatively isolated areas. As disadvantages one may mention the high costs, the mandatory early arrival at airport, at least two hours in advance, the necessity to travel to airports which are usually outside cities, its dependence on meteorological conditions and threat of terrorism. At world level it accounts for 47% of international traffic, while at European Union level it represents 25%. As far as Romania is concerned air transport accounts for only 17-19%, below the European average both for foreign tourists arrival in Romania and for Romanian tourists travels abroad, but a growth tendency during the past few years is obvious.travel, air transport services, tourism, competition, progress.

Residents’ Attitude toward Tourism—Do the Benefits Outweigh the Downsides? The Case of Constanta, Romania

While the positive economic impact of tourism cannot be denied, it has also a number of negative side effects. The article focuses on the residents’ perception regarding the tourist activity and on identifying the factors influencing their acceptance for the tourist activity, in Constanta (Romania). A questionnaire based quantitative research was employed, creating several indexes, subsequently included in econometric models in order to reveal the factors which determine residents’ acceptance and support for tourism. The results reveal that residents are highly in favour of tourism activity and support tourism expansion and further development. Most respondents considered that tourism contributed to the improvement of the city image and identified a fairly positive economic impact, while tourism was accountable for the increase in several negative phenomena. The impact of tourist activity on the sustainable development of the city was perceived as medium positive, while most respondents considered that the number of tourists should increase. The residents’ acceptability toward tourism was revealed to depend on several variables and computed indexes: city development index, impact on residents’ quality of life index, sustainable development index, and perceived intensity of contact with tourists