Sustainable Development of Rural Mountain Tourism: Insights from Consumer Behavior and Profiles

Carina Dobre, Andreea-Cristiana Linca, Elena Toma and Adina Iorga ()
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Carina Dobre: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Andreea-Cristiana Linca: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Elena Toma: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania
Adina Iorga: Faculty of Management and Rural Development, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 011464 Bucharest, Romania

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-29

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the behavior of consumers in rural mountain tourism, with a particular focus on sustainability and durability. Questionnaire surveys were conducted in 2022 in Bucharest during the national tourism fair, collecting responses from 212 visitors based on their availability to participate. Our purpose was to gather their opinions on visiting the rural areas of the Carpathian Mountains in Romania and to reveal distinct patterns in tourist preferences. The responses were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0, where descriptive analyses and the Mann–Whitney U test were performed. The study results indicated that perceptions and service satisfaction vary based on demographic and economic characteristics. Women slightly favored higher-quality accommodations and dining services, while lower-income and secondary-educated respondents expressed higher contentment with local hospitality. This research emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to tourism services that promotes local community engagement and sustainable practices to ensure long-term environmental and economic viability. There is a clear need to develop tourism strategies that align with sustainability principles, ensuring that the Carpathian Mountains region remains attractive and resilient for future generations.

Keywords: consumer behavior; rural mountain tourism; sustainability; durability; sustainable tourism development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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