CACTUS - Journal of tourism for research, education, culture, and soul

11-16

Authors: ADINA-GABRIELA, CROITORU DANIELA FIROIU

In a global society, defined by the disappearance of borders of any kind, the unprecedented intensification of competition compels companies, regardless of the economic sector in which they operate, to permanently adapt their products and services to customers’ requirements. However, the challenge lies precisely in the fact that consumer demands are in a constantly and increasingly accelerated change. If until some time ago products and services were generally chosen based on value for money, now the trend is to make choices based on the fact that these represent a new concept, a new experience, so that innovation is more and more appreciated and gradually turns into the most appropriate way to bring added value to companies. The concept is evolving fast, however, and innovation no longer refers only to the creation of new products or services, but also, why not, even to the development of new strategies, most often marketing and management strategies, aimed at enhancing performance at the microeconomic level. It is obvious that pioneers in the creation of such successful strategies are primarily companies with economic power and know-how, often multinational companies, which outline directions in this respect and become real business performance models. Concrete examples regarding the use of innovation for achieving business excellence can be easily found in tourism, which is currently the fastest growing economic sector in the world. Thus, development strategies existing especially in the international hotel chains turn into real best practices not only for the hospitality industry, but also for other areas, contributing primarily to the companies’ success, but, furthermore, also to increasing the competitiveness of the whole world economy. This article aims to bring to the fore some of the innovative strategies successfully used by one of the largest hotel groups globally and, starting from the analysis of the current state of the hospitality industry in Romania, to identify some ways forward for increasing business performance.

25-28

Authors: RALUCA GEORGIANA STOIAN

The objective of this article is to shed insight on the tourism assistance and services that can be developed to optimize the tourism flow. This article will expose the fact that tourism combines several services, such as transport, accommodation, food, recreation, events, that make up the integrated tourism product and its marketing arrangements. Part of tourism services are designed to cover basic, everyday needs like rest, food, and another part is dedicated to specific necessities and particularities of tourism services (recreation, treatment, travel arrangements, etc.). The dynamism of tourism leads to the need for improvement of existing tourism services and develop new forms of tourism. Meanwhile developing tourism assistance and services leads to regional economic growth and professional development of people. Tourism plays an important role in the development of Romania's economic future and it is important to ensure that tourism resources are fully valued. Business trips or trips to congresses, conferences, meetings, etc. continue to develop, with increasing benefits for organizers. Many people who are involved in such activities are, in the same time, “holiday” tourists who want to discover the area that they are visiting. Tourism products and services are designed and developed to meet the needs of existing and potential customers. Tourists are becoming more experienced and sophisticated and expect high quality attractions, utilities and services, and rates / prices suited to their travels quality. Provided that everything mentioned above is the main reason or motivation to develop tourism and its services for visitors to events in which they participate; we will analyze possible options for improving the above mentioned services.

41-55

Authors: LIVIU DEDIU

Online reviews represent one of the basic functionalities implemented under the Web 2.0 concept. Implementing the functionality of achieving reviews was made on public platforms and became the de facto standard for all web applications involving interaction between service/products providers and Internet users. Reviews information sources are used differently: first are followed peripherals clues (synthetic evaluation based on stars or ranking) as a stage of information retrieval and, after that, the processing of basic information (reviews) is shaping the person’s choosing alternatives. The study involved the use of exploratory research method. In this research we have undertaken an investigation which used a survey which was completed by 230 heterogeneous people The research resulted in finding preferred media information and the type of users who use them. Throughout our paper, the answers to two core questions concerning the approached theme can be found: • How important is, for a potential client, the online information, based on reviews published by other clients, made before choosing a tourist service? • How much do the online reviews influence the decision of buying a travel package? During the survey challenges have emerged whose solution requires additional research, thus reinforcing the importance of the chosen theme.

8

Authors: Gabriela Nicoleta Diaconescu, Gabriela Cecilia Stănciulescu

Sustainable development is a reality of our society, given the urgent need to use resources efficiently turning to their ability of alternative benefits. Whether it is a profitable activity or a personal action plan, man is faced with the situation of choosing just for him and for society. The purpose of this paper is to present a social model based on the proposal of human principles as foundation for society and for sustainable development applicable in tourism. Using as a research tool the questionnaire, the study reveals how these human values contribute to the society and tourism sustainable development.

11

Authors: Constantin Ștefan

Periodically certain countries or regions of the world are affected by various types of political unrest, such as wars ‒ including civil, revolutions, power struggles etc. In some cases, these regions have significantly developed tourist industries. In case these political events are violent, the result is predictable: a complete or almost complete halt of tourism in the region, most often accompanied by the destruction of the tourist infrastructure. But when these events are not violent, the effects on tourism may vary. As of 2015, the Crimean Peninsula is one of Europe's geopolitical hotspots and one of the world's disputed territories. This reputation comes from the fact that in March 2014 the territory switched sovereignty from Ukraine to Russia, following what many other states have qualified as an invasion and/or an illegally-held referendum. The purpose of this article is to examine the effects this series of events has had on the area's tourist industry. The article features the results of a research based on a survey, which was meant to evaluate the respondents' perception of the region. This survey was conducted among subjects from numerous European and former Soviet countries. The results have shown that there are certain differences in the perception of Crimea between Europe and the former Soviet states. These differences have the potential to shape the tourist industry of the region in the near future.

6

Authors: Gabriela Cecilia STĂNCIULESCU

The tourism education and training system undergoes intense restructuring which starts with redefining qualifications and developing the possibilities training organisations have to provide relevant training programmes. Qualification redefining was triggered by the need to provide coherent and open training channels allowing for access to those willing to choose a job in tourism. The development of the skills of the future employees presupposes the existence of trainers, who use both relevant information and methods meant to improve the skills and abilities of the trainees. Vocational training is no longer an exclusive concern of the education system and training institutions. Greater emphasis is laid on forming partnerships between the training institution, on the one hand, and employers, communities in general, on the other hand. The training network which involves all the participants in the process of creating relationships that lead to the development of a strategy and long-term decision-making is the form under which these partnerships are achieved. Particularly important is a multidisciplinary approach, which is a prerequisite of vocational training in tourism. Tourism education presupposes the participation of all players and learning from others’ experience (or mutual learning). There already are multiple examples of this type of learning namely schools and universities which develop partnerships in order to identify common solutions. Tourism sustainable development implies equal opportunities for all participants and a new approach to moral values. The author of this paper sets forth several solutions regarding the training of human resources in tourism, on short and medium term so that tourism could exert its beneficial effects in Romania

8

Authors: Mihaela-Alina BĂLAN

The scientific activities represent currently the support of innovations, which in turn contribute to a competitive advantage and thus to economic growth. They help in the development of more efficient production processes and management methods, as well as in providing high quality products and services, thus having a significant contribution in economic growth and to increase the quality of life. The analysis of their evolution provides useful information regarding the importance of innovation in Romania. In this context, the aim of this paper is to highlight the extent to which the scientific activities were present in the national economy during 2008-2013 and this will be accomplished through relevant economic indicators, GDP and the employed population. In the last part of the study the previsions of both indicators for 2014-2016 period will be presented.

10

Authors: VASILE DRAGOȘ CONSTANTIN

The paper tackles the issue of organizational change in the tourism industry. The tourism industry is faced with a dynamic and complex environment that exerts constant pressures on its organizations and the adequate response of SMEs in tourism consists in making organizational changes. The paper examines four dimensions of organization`s ability to cope with change: (1) communication between the organization and its external environment, (2) the process dimension, (3) participation and communication, and (3) the capacity for change.

10

Authors: GEORGICĂ GHEORGHE, PETRONELA TUDORACHE, PUIU NISTOREANU

The purpose of this article is to give insight into gastronomic tourism in Europe. The second idea that we develop in this article refer to the values of the gastronomy, precisely: ethical and sustainable values, which are established on local products, culture, lifestyle and landscape. Gastronomy has appeared like an indispensable element in order to get to know the culture and lifestyle of a destination and so embodies all the traditional values associated with the new trends in tourism: respect for culture and tradition, a healthy lifestyle, authenticity, sustainability, experience… etc.. This leading role of gastronomy when choosing a travel destination has resulted in the growth of gastronomic offer based on high quality local products and the consolidation of a separate market for food tourism. Provided that everything mentioned above constitutes the main reason or motivation to travel for visitors to a particular destination or at least on significant motivation. Tourists are more experienced and informed, have more disposable revenue and more leisure time to travel, and thus tourism permit them to escape from the daily routine of their usual working and living environment. Tourists are looking after the origin of the gastronomic food, legends and stories about the food, history, making it an expression of cultural tourism.