The Nexus Between the Travel Trends of the Young Generation and Ecotourism Development in the North East Region of Romania

Abstract

Taking into account that tourism is one of the main contributors to environmental pollution and deterioration, currently it is important to promote forms of travel with low environmental impact. Thus, ecotourism is often promoted as benefitting local destinations through income generation, employment and direct support for the conservation of key tourist attractions. Research supports the fact that this type of tourism influences environmental attitudes and knowledge, and eventually consumers’ behaviour. Therefore, this study is a qualitative research, which aims to study the nexus between the travel trends of the young generation and ecotourism development in the North East Region of Romania. In this sense we applied structured interviews to a sample made of representatives of institutions and organisations in the field of tourism in the North-East Region (NE) of Romania. The results showed that there is an increase of the degree of awareness of local natural and cultural values, through the development of infrastructure and tourism products, through the promotion of the area, through the development of ecotourism and awareness of the importance of protected natural areas. The study represents a contribution to the literature with a growing interest in a subject about younger generation and the development of ecotourism.