DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND SMART PROMOTION IN RURAL TOURISM OF WESTERN ROMANIA

Theodor Muntean, Larisa-Elena Briscan, Ramona Ciolac, Tiberiu Iancu, Tabita Cornelia Adamov

Abstract


Digitalization offers new opportunities for the sustainable growth of rural tourism, especially in less accessible regions. This study examines the extent to which small tourism businesses in the western region of Romania adopt digital tools for marketing, online booking, and visitor engagement. The analysis combines secondary data from regional tourism platforms with qualitative interviews conducted among entrepreneurs and local authorities. The results show that digital tools enhance visibility and attract younger visitors, yet many rural areas still face digital gaps and a lack of professional training. The study proposes the creation of regional digital hubs and partnerships between universities and local communities to improve technological inclusion and promote smart rural tourism.


Keywords


digitalization, smart tourism, innovation, Western Romania, rural development

Full Text:

PDF

References


BRISCAN LARISA-ELENA, MUNTEAN THEODOR, IANCU TIBERIU, PET ELENA, ADAMOV TABITA CORNELLA, 2023, The impact of European funds on the sustainable development of rural areas in Timiș County. Lucrări Științifice Management Agricol, Vol. 25(3), pp. 113–119.

CIOLAC RAMONA, 2023, The particularities of rural tourist activities from Gărâna area. Lucrări Științifice Management Agricol, Vol. 25(1), pp. 74–80.

DAVIDESCU ADRIANA, STRAT VASILE ALECSANDRU, GROSU RALUCA MARIANA, DANIEL ZGURA, ANAGNOSTE SORIN, 2018, The regional development of the romanian rural tourism sector. Amfiteatru Economic, Vol. 20(12), pp. 854–869.

DOBRA CĂLIN, 2024, Favorability assessment of Sichevița area for agritourism activities. Lucrări Științifice Management Agricol, Vol. 26(1), pp. 65–71.

DUMITRESCU CARMEN SIMONA, MILIN IOANA ANDA, MERCE IULIANA, IOSIM IASMINA, SĂLĂȘAN COSMIN, TOADER COSMINA SIMONA, 2024, COVID-19 Impact on European Tourism – Case Study. Lucrări Științifice Management Agricol, Vol. 26(1), pp. 201–208.

GOMOJA ALESSANDRA, TONEA ELENA, TURCAN RINA, 2024, Harnessing digital marketing to boost agribusiness. Lucrări Științifice Management Agricol, Vol. 26(3), pp. 91–98.

MINISTERUL ECONOMIEI, ANTREPRENORIATULUI ȘI TURISMULUI, 2023, Strategia Națională pentru Dezvoltarea Turismului 2023–2035. București, 168 p.

SÂRBU RALUCA, 2018, Social Media Advertising Trends in Tourism. Amfiteatru Economic, Vol. 20, Special No. 12, pp. 981–996.

SCUTARU LIDIA-GEORGETA, 2024, Digitalizarea turismului în sistemul public local: efecte asupra managementului instituțional. Scientific Papers Review Journal, Vol. 8, pp. 44–50.

STANCIU MIRELA, POPESCU AGATHA, STANCIU CRISTIAN, 2023, Rural tourism, agritourism and ecotourism in Romania. Management Economic Engineering in Agriculture and Rural Development, Vol. 23(1), pp. 231–237.

***ADR CENTRU, 2021, Strategia de Dezvoltare Regională a Regiunii Centru 2021–2027. Agenția pentru Dezvoltare Regională Centru, Alba Iulia, 210 p.

***AFIR – Agenția pentru Finanțarea Investițiilor Rurale, 2024, Rapoarte privind investițiile în agroturism și dezvoltare rurală. București: AFIR.

***EUROPEAN COMMISSION, 2024, Country Report – Romania 2024. Brussels: European Commission, 52 p.

***EUROPEAN COMMISSION, 2024, Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) – Romania. Brussels: European Commission.

***GAL TIMIȘUL DE CENTRU, 2023, Strategia de Dezvoltare Locală 2023–2027. Asociația GAL Timișul de Centru, Timiș, 182 p.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Theodor Muntean, Larisa-Elena Briscan, Ramona Ciolac, Tiberiu Iancu, Tabita Cornelia Adamov

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


LUCRĂRI ȘTIINȚIFICE MANAGEMENT AGRICOL

ISSN print 1453-1410
ISSN online 2069-2307
(former ISSN 1453-1410, E-ISSN 2069-2307)

PUBLISHER: AGROPRINT Timisoara, Romania
PAPER ACCESS: Full text articles available for free
FREQUENCY: Annual
PUBLICATION LANGUAGE: English

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Banat`s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine “King Michael I of Romania” from Timisoara
Faculty of Management and Rural Tourism
300645, Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, Romania

E-mail: tabitaadamov2003 [at] yahoo.com
Phone: +40-256-277439, Fax.: +40-256-277031