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This study advances the measurement of sustainable development in communities and destinations examining socio-ecological, environmental, cultural, and economic dimensions. By integrating qualitive insights within established indicator systems such as the European Tourism Indicator System, it addresses the limitations of traditional, solely quantitative approaches. Carrying out over 400 resident surveys in Co. Clare, Ireland, the research established sustainable indicators and assessed the destination's sustainability through resident-based metrics. For instance, 87% of residents believed that tourism benefits their community, yet only 23% of residents were satisfied with their involvement in planning. Thematic analysis of the open-ended responses provided crucial themes for sustainable destination management, highlighting resident concerns on transport, planning, management, and community involvement and benefits. The study concluded that relying solely on quantitative indicators, limits Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and planners to Likert scale results, failing to capture nuanced impacts observed by destinations. The study highlights the insufficiency of solely using quantitative indicators, which risk oversimplifying community inputs and misinterpreting resident dissatisfaction, signally a need for diverse solutions to address varied concerns. The study also identified survey fatigue as a governance challenge, potentially hindering future sustainable development efforts. Aligning with the socio-ecological indicators of the community-environment-development nexus call for papers, this interdisciplinary research demonstrates the value of advanced indicator systems in promoting meaningful community engagement and supporting policy formulation for sustainable destination development. It offers a comprehensive framework for integrating resident perspectives and thematic insights into destination management, contributing to a more inclusive and community-based approach to tourism development.

This research aims to analyze the development of quality tourism and the resulting impacts in order to provide social and economic justice in the tourist village.This research provides a critical perspective on the development of quality tourism and its associated impacts linked to sustainable development goals. This study adopts a qualitative research paradigm with a phenomenological approach. Data analysis techniques employed include: observation, in-depth interviews, and literature review.This research found that the impact generated from the development of quality tourism is still minimal. When researchers connect it with sustainable development goals, it can be understood that every aspect, including social, economic, environmental, and cultural, needs improvement. The local community has not yet massively benefited from tourism to improve their standard of living.

This article presents a narrative perspective review of the state-of-the-art of destination marketing and management. The past 15 years of developments, stretching from technological advances enabling methodological progress and new consumer behavior to climate, health, and financial crises, require a reassessment of previous academic contributions and current practices. Referring back to the social origins of destinations, this article conceptualizes destinations as a heterogeneous space of flows and proposes future research linked to tourist demand and tourism supply, sustainability and resilience, technological shifts, and institutions. Finally, six broader streams of conversations suggest how to advance the marketing and management of destinations related to a destination ontology grounded in flows, with a focus on processes and action, stewardship and collaboration, resilient destinations, transient and permanent residents, as well as new instrumental technologies and augmented experiences.

The process of coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to create various scenarios for returning to the path of tourism development. The search for suitable and effective solutions was at the heart of the Tourism Friendly Cities project, in which eight European cities participated. The aim is to define the challenges and tools related to the sustainability of urban tourism. The empirical research was based on the opinions of experts from eight cities involved, and concerned four thematic areas: the quality of life and tourism in the city before and during/after COVID-19, tourism dysfunctions, the sources of conflicts between local stakeholders, and the tools for the sustainable reconstruction of tourism. The results confirmed the existence of a wide range of declared tools for the development of sustainable tourism after the pandemic. The conducted research indicates key areas of conflict in the field of tourism activity. The authors also come to the conclusion that tools for regulating tourist traffic should not be universal, but should meet the individual needs of the city.

In this study, information will be explored that will contribute to increasing tourism income in destinations with low tourist expenditure per person. For this purpose, the souvenir expenditure of tourists in Turkey is examined. Souvenir stores in Sultanahmet and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul were investigated using a qualitative case study research design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 souvenir sellers and 778 online comments of tourists shopping in souvenir stores were analyzed by netnography. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the efforts made to transform products based on the natural, historical and cultural richness of Turkey into brands, and thus increase local product diversity, play a critical role in increasing souvenir expenditure. On the other hand, the importance of the selection of high spending tourists as the target market and increasing the employment of qualified workers in the tourism sector has emerged.

The purpose of the article is to evaluate the possibilities of evaluating sustainable tourism in Polish tourist regions, in particular, through the use of ETIS indicators and to assess for the availability of data for their calculation in the nationwide statistical system. Qualitative research methodology was used to study the availability of ETIS indicators. A diagnostic type research procedure was adopted and the desk research method was used. In a situation where the data necessary for calculating a given indicator was not found in the available sources, primary research in the form of direct interviews with representatives of branches of Statistical Offices was used. In order to quantify the availability of ETIS indicators, a system for their evaluation was adopted and aggregate indicators were proposed for the evaluation of sections and individual criteria in the section, which is the author’s attempt to develop a unified system for evaluating sustainable tourism indicators. The results of the study showed that the availability of data for calculating ETIS indicators in Poland is not satisfactory. The lowest rating was given to the availability of indicators that facilitate the management of the resort, including the tourists’ satisfaction survey (section A). Also rated very low was the availability of indicators of the environmental impact of tourism in a resort (section D). The results obtained confirm the results of studies by other authors dealing with the issue of the real use of ETIS in tourist regions of other countries.

This study explores sport experiences. Sports are a form of popular culture. This study examines sport participants' perceived sport experiences. The interrelationships between sport experiences and the spaces and places offered within destinations are studied. Destination space, living space and sport places and space are theoretically linked and explored. Twenty-four interviews are conducted with runners and climbers. Deductive and inductive thematic analysis is applied. The results suggest strong relationships between destination spaces and sport places and spaces. Peak experiences, feelings of flow, and the serious leisure framework qualities also facilitate these. From a regional destination development perspective, the findings show that popular culture, such as spatial sports practices, can be appropriated and leveraged for sustainable tourism gain, as sports transform places, and place identity. This study contributes to theory. The interviews link and explore different conceptualisations of space (living space, destination space and sport places and spaces) that have not yet been examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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When a tourist destination goes into crisis, the news about the crisis immediately reaches visitors. However, in 2020 the coronavirus pandemic affected not only one destination, but also resulted in a global crisis throughout the entire tourism sector since governmental restrictions were introduced for the sake of worldwide security. As potential travellers were only able to plan their trips, mostly using online platforms, crisis communication, awareness raising, or even reminder campaigns on the part of tourist destinations began to gain in value. In 2021 the national regulations fundamentally affecting tourism determined what opportunities remained open or were instead closed to national destination management organizations (DMOs). As these decisions became endowments and factors that could not be influenced, we chose to focus our research on how the online communication of tourist destinations has changed due to the pandemic. In the study, we review both the pre-crisis communication of national DMOs of the European Union and their online activity during the coronavirus pandemic. Our goal is to explore the change between the two periods: the revealed differences in communication between the first and second waves of the pandemic. We will also examine the possibilities for recovery and formulate recommendations for a post-pandemic communication strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scientific article is devoted to the comparison of the destination management organization in the Slovak Republic in comparison with selected European countries, namely Poland, Austria and Sweden, while it also aims to look at the management structure of tourism in these countries. Within the methodology of the thesis, individual comparative criteria are defined, which include several aspects of destination management of the countries in question. Using the method of descriptive analysis and a comparative table taking into account the individual criteria, the results are presented revealing details, common features and differences between the countries under study Subsequently, suggestions for improving the organisation of destination management in Slovakia are formulated taking into account the state of the issue in the compared countries. The paper contributes to a better understanding and optimization of destination management in the context of tourism in Slovakia and leans towards the conclusion that the establishment of a central governing body can bring high added value to the development of destination management organization in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Destination branding is a comprehensive strategic process that facilitates the destination management organizations and policy makers in not only creating salience about their destinations, but also position the destinations with wider values that caters to various segments of tourists in the competitive industrial outset. Many of the advancements and strategic formulations in strategic destination branding have been emerged from the insights acquired from academic research. Though there are many studies and evidence added to the arena with distinct perspectives, there is still lack of evidence that caters to the changing tourism market structure, expectations and uncertainties. This research note focuses on five such critical phases of destination branding and management that can be researched further to derive value addition to the industry. This research note indicates the further potential spaces that can be researched in the areas such as image and personality of destinations, marketing communications, destinations sustainability and strategy, emerging tourists' motives and virtual reality in tourism that significantly lacks perpetual evidence and the voids that can be researched. The note has also indicated the interlinkages of these pointers as the implications and expected researchable spheres. Being a short research note, the ideology of this note is to ignite the further research areas that support the core destination management and branding process and thus, the inferences and indications of research paradigms in this note is fully limited to the authors readings from the literary sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To make Bosnia and Herzegovina a desirable destination even more attractive for tourists, it is necessary to take concrete actions that primarily include destination management and such organizations. In all of this, information and communication technology plays a special role. This paper deals precisely with the association between information and communication technology and destination management organizations, and which obstacles can be. Such a conceptual model, such as this research model, has not yet been used. When trying to understand the obstacles of destination management organizations to use information and communication technology, this research can become interesting for destination management organizations and their managers. And not just for them, but for other stakeholders, for example, marketing and sales partners, experts involved, politics, services providers, etc. The sample of this study was 200 randomly selected staff of travel boards in Bosnia and Herzegovina over 3 months. Given that in this research the focus is only on tourist boards as representatives of such organizations, this may be a limitation, but also a recommendation to include other destination management organizations in future research. Both of the hypotheses in this research have been confirmed, H1 - there are differences in multimedia and attitudes towards information and communication technology that affect external destination marketing and internal development role in destination management organization, and H2- There is a correlation between the state and obstacles of information and communication technology and destination management organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a narrative perspective review of the state-of-the-art of destination marketing and management. The past 15 years of developments, stretching from technological advances enabling methodological progress and new consumer behavior to climate, health, and financial crises, require a reassessment of previous academic contributions and current practices. Referring back to the social origins of destinations, this article conceptualizes destinations as a heterogeneous space of flows and proposes future research linked to tourist demand and tourism supply, sustainability and resilience, technological shifts, and institutions. Finally, six broader streams of conversations suggest how to advance the marketing and management of destinations related to a destination ontology grounded in flows, with a focus on processes and action, stewardship and collaboration, resilient destinations, transient and permanent residents, as well as new instrumental technologies and augmented experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local Authorities have significant tourism planning responsibilities and can benefit from evidence-based approaches. Qualitative interviews with 28 Local Authorities identified impediments to adopting indicators. Key barriers included more knowledge of indicator systems, training in using systems, and understanding sustainability value and governance issues. However, transitioning to sustainable tourism through monitoring requires efficient resourcing of Local Authorities. Statutory adoption of indicators may be needed to enable evidence-based planning and policy making. More informed planning approaches can help destinations respond to tourism issues and sustainability threats. Findings have implications for facilitating indicator implementation and evidence-based planning in other tourism destinations internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is a dynamic and highly competitive industry, with destinations worldwide vying for the attention of travelers. Central to tourists' decisionmaking processes are their perceptions of a destination, often encapsulated in the concept of "destination image." This study seeks to unravel the intricate relationship between destination image and tourists' behavioral intentions, specifically examining how tourists' perceptions of a destination influence their intentions to visit, revisit, and recommend it to others. To achieve this, a comprehensive review of the literature on destination image and its impact on tourists' behavior was conducted. Empirical research findings from various destinations and cultural contexts were analyzed to provide insights into the multi-faceted nature of destination image and its effects on tourists' behavioral intentions. The study explores the dimensions that contribute to the formation of destination image, including cultural, natural, social, and marketing factors. The research reveals that tourists' perceptions of a destination significantly affect their intentions. A positive destination image often leads to a higher likelihood of initial visitation, repeat visitation, and word-of-mouth recommendations to others. Conversely, negative perceptions may deter potential tourists and discourage repeat visits or advocacy. Furthermore, the study discusses the role of destination marketing and management in shaping and enhancing destination image. Strategies such as effective communication, experiential marketing, and sustainable development are identified as critical elements in managing and improving destination image. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for destination marketers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. Understanding the dynamics of destination image and its impact on behavioral intentions can inform the development of more targeted and effective marketing campaigns, as well as sustainable destination management practices. Ultimately, a positive destination image can not only attract more tourists but also foster a loyal and enthusiastic visitor base, contributing to the long-term success and sustainability of tourism destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban tourism imagery is an essential factor affecting the competitiveness of cities. However, most existing studies use small data methods such as interviews and questionnaires to explore tourists' perceptions of cities without combining big data for analysis. In addition, there is relatively little research on the tourism imagery of coastal cities. Therefore, this study analyzes the data from 523 travelogues from a three-dimensional perspective of identity, structure, and meaning, using methods such as BERTopic, aiming to explore the tourism imagery of coastal cities perceived by tourists. The results show the following: (1) In terms of identity, Sanya's urban tourism imagery has the attribute of "external explicit-internal implicit", which satisfies tourists' visual and spiritual experiences. (2) Regarding structure, Sanya has a clear regional division of imagery and a core–edge diffusion distribution among regions. (3) Regarding meaning, tourists' attitudes toward Sanya are polarized. Positive emotions predominate in the overall perception of meaning, but 25% of the negative emotions require urgent attention. This study provides a reference for the sustainable development of tourism cities and the marketing management of destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overtourism has become a critical problem in many popular destinations around the world, leading to negative impacts on the environment, local communities, and the quality of the visitor experience. This article explores the potential of the metaverse, a virtual world that combines elements of augmented reality and virtual reality, and other new digital technologies for addressing the challenges of overtourism. Drawing on a systematic literature review of recent studies, the currently available technologies are listed, and their potential implications for the tourism industry and local communities are portrayed. It was found that while there is some evidence to suggest that the metaverse and its associated digital technologies such as the extended realities/XR (virtual reality/VR, augmented reality/AR, mixed reality/MR), can help mitigate overtourism, further research is necessary to investigate their effectiveness in reducing overtourism and their potential unintended consequences. This article makes an original contribution to overtourism research and adds to existing knowledge by providing a practical list of currently available technologies that could help DMOs and tourism professionals mitigate the negative effects of overtourism. The article concludes with suggestions for future research and practice in the field, highlighting the importance of continued exploration and innovation in this area.

Mountains are perceived as places of biodiversity, as attractive places with breathtaking aesthetic views and epitomized by their unique landscape features. As mountains are the second most demanded outdoor destination category at a global level after beaches and islands, the steady growth of tourism places high pressure on sensitive mountain ecosystems. As can be observed from tourism practice in mountain environments, the distribution of tourism activities is highly uneven. In the Alps, one of the best-known regions with relentless tourism growth, a substantial concentration of tourism intensity can be traced to specific locations and valleys, whereas other parts have to cope with trends of marginalization. In this situation, many concerned stakeholders have long advocated for more balanced economic and tourism development. The initiative of “Mountaineering Villages” promoted by the Alpine Convention is one of a few respective actions to shift perspectives and persuade tourists to engage in sustainable tourism activities. The paper explores how these activities are linked to the balanced use of cultural landscapes and the narratives that are exposed as convincing development models in these regions.

AbstractThe destination’s tourism managers strategically invest in meeting infrastructure, aiming to host congresses and leverage the economic and social benefits of tourism to foster sustainable economic growth, inclusive employment and the realization of Sustainable Development Goal targets. Their efforts contribute to promoting a thriving economy, equitable job opportunities, and a sustainable future for all, as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). However, the mere fact of having basic facilities is not enough for the destination to be competitive in this segment. The aim of this paper is to identify those core factors that increase the competitiveness of the tourist destination in the congress segment. To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the congress tourism segment in the region of Extremadura, a study based on IPA (Importance-Performance Analysis) has been carried out on 21 determining factors selected from interviews with experts in the sector and after a thorough literature review. The diagram resulting from the IPA analysis has allowed us to obtain the strategic factors and theoretical and practical implications for both publics and private stakeholders. The result of this paper confirms the fundamental role of the public administration in improving the competitiveness of the congress tourism destination and key factors that directly affect the good development of congress tourism in a territory, such as the good relationship between public and private agents involved in the sector, tourism promotion and transport.

This paper discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sun & beach tourism in Uruguay by exploring the perceptions of domestic tourists. On the basis of a survey carried out at the early beginning of summer holidays in South America, the study reveals that the desire for a vacation of the respondents has remained, despite the pandemic. The majority of the respondents express a high desire to take vacations soon. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on data. The results suggested an eight-factor structure, where the variables that make explicit the requirements that would make the interviewees renounce to make a trip are located, which are present in half of the identified factors. Finally, sociodemographic characteristics, such as level of education, profession, and age, are also present as components of the factor but in a negligible percentage of contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity to create various scenarios for returning to the path of tourism development. The search for suitable and effective solutions was at the heart of the Tourism Friendly Cities project, in which eight European cities participated. The aim is to define the challenges and tools related to the sustainability of urban tourism. The empirical research was based on the opinions of experts from eight cities involved, and concerned four thematic areas: the quality of life and tourism in the city before and during/after COVID-19, tourism dysfunctions, the sources of conflicts between local stakeholders, and the tools for the sustainable reconstruction of tourism. The results confirmed the existence of a wide range of declared tools for the development of sustainable tourism after the pandemic. The conducted research indicates key areas of conflict in the field of tourism activity. The authors also come to the conclusion that tools for regulating tourist traffic should not be universal, but should meet the individual needs of the city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals' participation in tourism recreation events can be constrained by a number of situational factors and can also be bolstered by key influences such as a desire for a particular social identity. This study extends the current body of research by investigating the effects of social identity, motivation, and perceived constraints on desire, and thus on the intent to participate in organized motorcycle tourism events. This research was carried out on a sample of participants at an internationally acclaimed motorbike event: the Transitalia Marathon. The results of the structural model indicate that social identity has a positive influence on motivation, the desire to participate, and the intent to participate. In addition, social identity has a negative, direct effect on perceived constraints, which in turn have a negative effect on motivation. This motivation has a positive, direct influence on the desire to participate. The practical and research implications of this study are presented herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Sustainable tourism planning is recommended for destination governance to ensure long-term development that balances the impacts of tourism on a community, especially in overtourism contexts. This study examines a sustainable tourism planning process focusing specifically on stakeholder involvement and the use of co-created evidence. A multi-stakeholder involvement management framework (MSIM) for sustainable tourism was applied to examine its fit to a rigorous case study. The study enhances the MSIM framework, featuring three stages from scene-setting, management of stakeholder involvement, to assessment. The new framework details objectives and tools for each step, and influential factors in managing stakeholders’ involvement. A significant enhancement is the extensive incorporation of evidence into the framework for different purposes (eg developing management policies, plan objectives and implementation tactics, evaluating stakeholders’ involvement). Multiple stakeholders participated in producing and using a variety of evidence throughout the planning process to provide a foundation for planning. This study is one of the first in sustainable tourism to examine evidence as a component of a broad framework to manage stakeholder involvement. It shows the usefulness, position, and dynamic of evidence in destination management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing risks from disasters and crises, prioritizing resilient and sustainable tourism development has become imperative. Using resilience theory, this research proposed an integrated tourism‐community resilience‐quality of life (QOL) framework, considering both the recurring major natural hazards and the COVID‐19 crisis in a host community. Based on the integrated framework, we tested the individual‐level relationships between tourism, community resilience, and QOL. We surveyed 339 residents in Florida, a state which faces high risks from natural hazards and infectious diseases. Findings showed that community resilience significantly mediated the relationship between tourism and QOL and demonstrated the different mediating roles of community resilience by the disaster and crisis. These findings can help community practitioners understand how community resilience functions in the positive and/or negative relationships between tourism and QOL during a disaster/crisis, eventually supporting resilient and sustainable tourism development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains are perceived as places of biodiversity, as attractive places with breathtaking aesthetic views and epitomized by their unique landscape features. As mountains are the second most demanded outdoor destination category at a global level after beaches and islands, the steady growth of tourism places high pressure on sensitive mountain ecosystems. As can be observed from tourism practice in mountain environments, the distribution of tourism activities is highly uneven. In the Alps, one of the best-known regions with relentless tourism growth, a substantial concentration of tourism intensity can be traced to specific locations and valleys, whereas other parts have to cope with trends of marginalization. In this situation, many concerned stakeholders have long advocated for more balanced economic and tourism development. The initiative of "Mountaineering Villages" promoted by the Alpine Convention is one of a few respective actions to shift perspectives and persuade tourists to engage in sustainable tourism activities. The paper explores how these activities are linked to the balanced use of cultural landscapes and the narratives that are exposed as convincing development models in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals the influence of word of mouth on destination reputation from the perspective of tourists' reputation judgment and explores the differentiating effect of judgment dimensions on the degree of consistency between word of mouth and reputation based on multinomial logistic regression analysis, aiming to advance the theoretical exploration of the complex relationship between word of mouth and reputation. This study finds that (1) tourists weigh word-of-mouth information that is identical or different from their views to make reputation judgments, and destination reputation is a systematic emergent outcome of word-of-mouth information that is recursively weighed and judged by tourists in the process of dissemination. (2) Tourists judge the reputation of a destination based on different dimensions, including scenic spots, local food, history and culture, natural environment, social atmosphere, activities and events, and facilities and services. (3) Tourists' reputation judgment dimensions have a differentiating effect on the influence of word of mouth on destination reputation; that is, there are interpersonal differences in the influence of word of mouth information on destination reputation by tourists based on different dimensions. This paper provides a new perspective and approach to the study of the relationship between word of mouth and destination reputation, which can contribute to destination reputation management and marketing efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the present study is the sustainability of the settlements in the Lake Velence area, especially Velence and Gardony, which are at the center of pressure by tourism in the area. At the beginning of the study, immediately after the introduction of the concepts of sustainability and tourism destination management and the characterization of Lake Velence and its tourism, a comparative assessment of the Integrated Settlement Development Strategies of the cities of Velence and Gárdony is presented. Gárdony’s strategy focuses on the sustainability of the economy and the urban and natural environment, while Velence has a stronger social aspect. The study determined the strengths and weaknesses, which are in line with the results of the indicator-based research presented in the second part of the study that aimed to establish the sustainability ranking of the region. We considered the direction and extent of changes between 2010 and 2018 and compared it with the absolute data series for 2018. Velence and Gárdony are in the middle category in the sustainability rankings, while Velence is among the best in the latter.

Geographical knowledge of the country can be one of the leading assumptions that allow the tourism development. It enables a more detailed specification of the dominant potential for its further development. Conside ring the current significant need to create a sustainable product, the natural conditions together with destination management can be key elements for the future course of the tourism sphere. The aim of the study was to find out the preferences of visitors to selected geolocations in the Spiš region, specifically within the offered geotourism products. To fulfil the goal, the questionnaire as a key method was used and subsequently tested by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman's Rho test, coefficient of determination R2, F-test with Fisher's criterion. It can be concluded that the potential of the Spiš region is perceived as attractive. Based on results, the uniqueness of the main geoproduct offer is in montanistics.

The Lower-Ipoly area, located in the north-central region of Hungary, has linear extension. In terms of the specific location and the unfavourable demographics tourism development faces difficulties in this heterogeneous area. The aim of the research is to identify the needs of prospective travellers and decision makers toward future developments in tourism in the indicated region. The paper summarizes the results of a survey, identifying the opinions of organizational and consumer market stakeholders, their similarities and differences in terms of expectations for tourism developments. This study covers the types of tourism and product elements that can potentially be developed sustainably.

Health tourism is defined as a tourism product of strategic importance in Hungary and spa towns are among the most visited destinations in the country. The aims of the present research are to explore the characteristics of the tourism sector in the spa town of Hajdúszoboszló, and to identify the trends having shaped its tourism in the previous decade. Time-series analysis of secondary tourism data as well as a questionnaire survey among visitors were conducted to assess the market position of the spa town. The results imply that both the well-balanced ratio of domestic and international guests and the diversity of international source markets were favourable for the town. In the future, the more efficient diversification of tourism products, the improvement of the MICE sector, and the development of gastronomic, cultural and sport tourism products are recommended.

The purpose of this paper is to provide some important insights about the development of cultural routes in Romania, and, as well, to propose a framework for the evaluation of the quality delivered, taking into consideration ”on the spot” infrastructure and services that should be available, in order to mediate a positive experiences to the tourists. The items compiled in a pilot-assessment questionnaire were tested on the field, for a cross-border cultural route, that was developed some years ago, in cooperation, by the tourism national authorities from Romania and Republic of Moldova: “Stephen the Great” cultural route. The paper presents some relevant insights about the cultural routes and their importance for the promotion of the heritage of different European cultures. The literature review covers mainly the impact of the cultural routes for the promotion of the heritage of the regions that are crossed by, and the growing importance that the routes gained in the last years. The undertaken research brings a critical approach to the development of routes in the incipient stage, especially, and reiterate the challenge to create a coherent and positive tourism experience, by combining different tourism objectives in a thematic trail. The aim was to identify some relevant factors that could be compiled in a quality assessment tool, that could be used for the evaluation of the cultural routes. Similarities with the Index of Destination Attractiveness (IDA) are as well discussed. The paper concludes with recommendations for the tourism stakeholders involved in the process of development the cultural routes. At the same time, the paper opens the field for future research on the quality of the tourism experience on the cultural routes.