ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIA - A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FULFILMENT OF THE REAL CONVERGENCE CRITERIA FOR EURO ADOPTION.

Ecotourism is a chance to diversify the Romanian tourism industry while protecting the environment and benefiting local communities. The present paper focuses on ecotourism as a possible contribution the fulfilment of the real convergence criteria for euro adoption in Romania by stimulating the economic growth of rural communities. The main benefits that ecotourism brings to rural communities are highlighted as well as the main initiatives of national organisations aimed at stimulating the local economy in different ecotourism destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]