The interaction of tourism and nature -Two case studies from Biosphere Reserves in Romania

Abstract

Following work is a bachelor thesis in Geography. It was conducted as the last moment of the Bachelors Program in Geography at the University of Gothenburg, during the second half of the spring semester, 2013. The aim of the study was to examine and illuminate the interaction of tourism and nature conservation at the Biosphere Reserves of Pietrosul Mare and Danube Delta, Romania. The methods used to achieve this aim have been qualitative interviews with key players of the matter. The results show that the interaction of tourism and nature conservation differs between the areas. At Pietrosul Mare, the interaction is less obvious than in the Danube Delta implying that tourism would look very different without nature conservation there. It was also found that different aspects of tourism affect the reserves differently, mostly depending on the geographical characteristics of each site. Further, the reserves are unequally important to the counties in which they are situated. The Danube Delta is more important to overall tourism in the county of Tulcea than Pietrosul Mare is to overall tourism in the county of Maramures. A development of nature conservation and tourism has taken place in the areas over the last 20-25 years. Nature conservation has gone from a low priority to a significant factor, at both sites. Tourism has also evolved, with a slightly increase in visitor numbers at both sites. In Pietrosul Mare, a higher portion of the increase in visitor numbers derives from tourists from neighboring or closely situated countries. At the Danube Delta a higher portion of the increase in visitor numbers are by tourists from long-distance countries. At none of the sites neither the activity of tourism nor nature conservation seems to seriously threaten each other. However, it can also be concluded that they nor yet take, even close to, the maximum possible advantage of each other.