The role of the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve upon the local mentality and in defining the Băile Felix-1 Mai spa tourist system (Romania) [305932]

The role of the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve upon the local mentality and in defining the Băile Felix-1 Mai spa tourist system (Romania)

Alexandru Ilieș*,***, Raluca Buhaș**, Dorina Camelia Ilieș*, Jan Wendt*** and Grigore Herman*

*[anonimizat], Tourism and Territorial Planning, 1 University str., 410087 Oradea, Romania, e-mail: [anonimizat]

**[anonimizat], 1 University str., 410087 Oradea, Romania, e-mail: [anonimizat]

***[anonimizat], Gdansk, Poland, e-mail: jwendt@univgda.[anonimizat] (Romania), in the area of the 1 Mai – [anonimizat] a [anonimizat] ([anonimizat]) and especially flora species amongst which the tertiary relict unique lotus flower Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis. [anonimizat] a period of three years and by creating a [anonimizat], [anonimizat] a [anonimizat]. [anonimizat], [anonimizat], [anonimizat] a large number of institutions. [anonimizat], [anonimizat].

Key words: [anonimizat], Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis, Băile Felix- 1 Mai tourist system

Introduction

Situated West to Șomleu Hill (344 m), [anonimizat] 1 Mai-[anonimizat], [anonimizat], especially through tourism. Thus, [anonimizat], lithology, [anonimizat], and reflected through numerous specialty studies (Paucă, 1938; Paal, 1975; Preda and Țenu, 1981; Cohuț, 1986; Șoldea, 2003 etc) has been playing a significant role in defining the economic profile of the two resorts.

[anonimizat]-elements, as well as through its multiplying role in the diversification of tourist resources. Therefore, the scientific researches between the two World Wars (Paucă, 1937 etc), from the socialist period (Müler, 1958; Diaconeasa, 1962; Kovats, 1977; Preda and Țenu, 1981; Berindei et al., 1970, etc) and especially after 1990 (Mohan et al., 1993; Crăciun, 1997; Marossy, 1999; Venczel, 2001; Șoldea, 2003; Veler, 2003; Vasiliu-Oromulu et al., 2004; Pop, 2005; Telcean and Cupșa, 2006; Ilieș et al., 2011; Lacatoș, 2011; Sumegi et al., 2012; Gaceu and Teodorenu, 2013; Vicaș et al., 2013; Ilieș et al., 2014; Neubauer et al., 2014 etc) have given great importance to this type of geosite (Panizza, 2003; Reynard, 2004; Ilieș and Josan, 2009). Out of the flora and fauna elements which have as habitat the studied area, of particular importance is the Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis (The Thermal Water Lily or Drețe in Romanian popular language). It is a tertiary relict and a unique case at European level, a species of tropical plant spontaneously lives in temperate climate conditions, as many studies show (Diaconeasa and Popa, 1964; Olteanu-Cosma, 1977; Marossy, 1999). The water lily was declared a monument of nature in 1931 at the initiative of the botanist Alexandru Borza. At an altitude of 140 m, in an area of thermal water gathering from several natural springs, out of which Ochiul Țiganului (Gypsy` Eye, Fig.2) is noticeable, one year later, in 1932, with the purpose of protecting this unique element, The Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve was founded (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Geographical position of The Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve at Romania and local levels

Numerous paper works (Berindei et al., 1979; Călușer and Sfârlea, 1980) mentioned the European importance of this geosite. In 1995, through local regulations (Bihor County Council Decision nș19/ 1995; Law nș5/2000), it was delimitated a 4ha surface of nature reserve in protected regime and included into the network of sites Nature 2000 (extended on 48.9ha), under the administration of Țării Crișurilor Museum from Oradea (until 2015). Until 2013 (December), when the lake showed the first significant signs of depletion, its surface was of about 600m2 (Figure 1).

The chaotic development of the tourist system and the irrational exploitation after 1990 of the basic tourist resource –thermal water– through tourist and household activities, led to the decrease of its discharge and implicitly to the depletion and destruction of the habitat environment in the reservation area, especially for the three protected rare species: Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis, Scardinius erythrophalmus racovitzai – Racoviță’s Rudd, endemic species of fresh water fish adapted to thermal water (Mohan et al., 1993; Telcean and Cupsa, 2006) and Melanopsis parreyssi – endemic species of snail relict (Neubauer, 2014). The Red List of Threatened Species elaborated by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and EU Nature 2000 Programme of almost extinct species which populate the reservation is much longer, fact which amplifies the importance of this natural site, implicitly though increased valences for tourism.

Figure 2. Central part of Nature Reserve – Ochiul Țiganului (Gypsy` Eye) in 2010 (up) and 2015 (down)

Besides the problems caused by the reduction of water discharge, fact signalled ever since 2009 by researchers and mass-media, environmental problems occur as well, generated by the anthropic activity in 1 Mai (Venczel, 2001), or the natural silting, according to some specialists (Șoldea, 2003), noticed in the reduction of the lake’s depth to minimum levels of about 0.30m. Not only the scientific literature (Olteanu-Cosma, 1991; Marossy, 1999; Șoldea 2003; Ionașcu, 2009; Telecean and Cupșa, 2013; Ilieș et al., 2015) signaled the danger and the causes of the disappearance of the touristic system symbol. The poet Ady Endre (1906) in the lines of his poem Pusztul a Lótusz, mentions an imminent period of degradation of the lake and thermal lotus under the pressure of population (e.g., industrial processing of flowers in order to produce liqueurs and perfumes).

Figure 3. Differences (leaf) between Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis (up) from Petea Lake and Nymphaea alba (down) from Băile Felix (colonized in artificial lake)

An important aspect to be mentioned is that the habitat for Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis (Figure 3) is only the Pețea Lake and runlet from 1 Mai. In the central park from Băile Felix, in the anthropic lake, there is a common version of lotus (Nymphaea alba, Figure 3) which differs by its characteristics from the protected species. Unfortunately, at knowledge and promotion level, the two species are mistaken with each other, the protected species being often wrongly placed in Băile Felix.

Objectives

Together with the occurrence of the first germs of the two tourist resorts, the lotus and the thermal water in various forms and shades, they have gradually become the image and representation for the local community, brand for the resorts and source of inspiration for the naming certain anthropic edifices and institution in the touristic system area. The necessity of this study in a time of balance for the existence of the resource and source of inspiration for the local community and for the 1Mai-Băile Felix spa tourist system also derives from the accentuation of the discrepancy between real and symbolic one hand, and between brand and kitsch on the other. Moreover, an important role in this endeavor to save a brand is that of the local collective mentality through the degree of acknowledging the importance of this resource for the local community both under symbolic and economic aspect.

The main objective of this study refers to the investigation of the actual condition of the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve (and of its elements) as tourist resource and brand, to the awareness degree and the role played by it in the life of the local community. Everything comes down to the impact of the anthropic activities in creating a real image of the existent conditions specific to the reservation, by identifying, analyzing and correlating certain elements of geographic, biological, demographic, touristic type, especially of those with socio-cultural and economic impact.

Under structural aspect, the scientific approach in constructing it is based on four specific objectives generated by the actual socio-economic aspect: The degree of knowing the reservation at local community level (the inhabitants of Oradea city and Sânmartin commune); The identification of the causes which generated its degradation; Revitalization modalities and The identification of tourist promotion techniques of the protected area.

Methodology

The methodological component of this study is based on an interdisciplinary approach, using geographic (Ianoș 2000), statistical and sociological specific methods and instruments (Urry, 1990; Philip, 1998; Veal, 2006; Ianoș et al., 2009; Vlăsceanu, 2013). By applying and interpreting certain questionnaires constructed upon the above mentioned objectives, the research targets quantitative and qualitative aspects.

The qualitative component is accomplished by means of a focus group, method which is highly used in socio-geographic and interdisciplinary type research (Burgess, 1996; Zeigler et al., 1996; Pratt, 2002; Krueger and Casey, 2009, Ianoș et al., 2010; Cocheci et al., 2015). The focus group was made up of specialists from various domains which are tangent to the theme (geographer, geologist, biologist, hydrologist, historian, sociologist, economist) with the purpose of analyzing in detail important aspects concerning the studied issue, the results obtained from questionnaire, to which the specialists’ opinions are added (Ilieș et al, 2015).

The quantitative component targets, besides the statistical and special analyses generated by data collection from the field and the creation of a data base, the complementary sociological component based on applying a questionnaire focused on: knowledge degree, causes of degradation, revitalization and promotion of the reservation, to which the reference socio-demographic data are added. The knowledge degree is determined by means of a set of questions focused on the identification of landmark elements in defining the resorts and the information sources. The causes of degradation of the reservation refer to the scaled knowledge degree of its actual state and of a set of causes which contributed to the actual state amongst which the tourism specific activities. The revitalization of the reserve focuses on the identification of solutions and institutions involved in the amelioration of the existing situation. The scaled promotion emphasizes the promotion degree and means of the reservation as tourist resource of international importance. All these are based on socio-demographic data determined by the interviewed persons and which reflect their education level, occupation, gender, age, address and living conditions. The interpretation of results generated by the field activity and by the questionnaires is completed with the special analysis graphically and cartographically transposed by means of the GIS, specific to the administration of such data base.

The method used is that of direct inquiry within which the data and information were gathered from the field by means of the semi-structured sociological questionnaire.

The data analysis and results interpretation was accomplished with the help of the statistical analysis program for social sciences – SPSS and it was structured according to the research specific objectives previously described.

The identification and definition of the target group, the homogenization of the significant sections (Mărginean, 2000; Flick, 2011) and the choice of the sampling method (Vlăsceanu, 2013), in this case of probabilistic type, stratified, and by means of which it can be obtained a high level of sample representativeness with reference to the total population (Babbie, 2010), structure the logical course of sociological investigation with interdisciplinary opening. The variables used in the present research were as follows: gender, age, education level, occupation and married status. In what regards the monthly income, 38.2% of respondents declare that they have enough for a decent living but they do not afford buying expensive things, while only 7% of them are satisfied with their income, managing to have everything they need without restraints. On the opposite side, 10.6% of the subjects declare that their income cannot provide even for their basic necessities.

Table 1. Respondents` level of education, occupation and civil status

The total number of respondents was of 337 people living in Oradea and Sânmartin commune, having the following synthetic socio-demographic profile (Table 1): 52.5% females, with the average age of 38.2, with a medium to a higher level of education (45%), not married (52.4%), students or employed in different types of services as personnel with and without higher education, with a medium monthly income.

Analytical frame and results

Defining the brand and the representative image for the spa tourist system is based on two tourist-resource components: the support element-the thermal water and the unique species The Thermal Lotus. Both resources were at the basis of the occurrence of other defining elements in a particular historic sequence for the local community. Such an element was the mill from Rontău, maintained until the middle of the 20th century (Bulzan & Marta, 2010), which used to function during winter as well due to the hot water nearby.

Brand, image and promotion

In this case, “the regeneration of an almost extinct brand within the category it belong to is not possible anymore, but sometimes, it should be studied the solution of transferring it into another category or of creating a new category for the brand” (Pringle and Field, 2011, 41, 299). Defining the image of 1 Mai-Băile Felix spa tourist system can be temporally structured on two time intervals with different particularities:

a.)The period before 1990 – defined through strict town planning rules at the level of the two resorts, by means of controlled and targeted development regarding the infrastructure and the promotion of an image by emphasizing the local brand elements. Thus, the following were promoted the names of certain hotel type infrastructure elements: Lotus, Nufărul, Termal or inspired from the regional toponymy: Crișana, Mureș, Someș, Poienița, Muncel, or inspired from the Latin mythology: Ceres, Apollo-Felix.

b.)The period after 1990 – marked by architectural chaos and multiplying institutional names on a background of accommodation infrastructure explosion, especially boarding houses. Besides an extremely diverse architecture without local or regional resonance, numerous structures appeared, bearing the strangest names for the analyzed tourist system: Noblesse, Davidoff, Ama, Vidraru, Monaco, Perla etc. All these are the consequence of globalization and of an anarchic system in the building regime. It is a clear case in which the threats for ensuring the brands’ perennial feature were disregarded (Pringle and Field, 2011). For this period of time, we mention, referring to the national brand promotion, the Wellness Thermal Nymphaea complex project (under construction in Oradea) and in the form of a project in Băile Felix.

An important role is played by graphic publicity (Ielenicz and Comănescu, 2013) whose message during the post-socialist period reflects to a certain extent the relationship local brand-real reflection in the territory. Such aspects are:

-The tourist activity related to the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve. A lot of fliers and websites promote this unique gem as tourist resource although it is practically almost extinct or even extinct in most parts of the reservation (Figure 2). It is required the regeneration of an almost extinct brand with very small chances to return to its previous position in its category.

-An interesting project, based on the solution of transferring an almost extinct brand into a different category or the creation of a new category, was that of including the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve and a future Village Museum from Crișuri Land into an eco-museum (Figure 2). To this, Șomleu Hill is associated with the paleontological reserve and the natural monument The Betfia Aven.

-A series of paper works with scientific or informative character emphasize the role of the reserve as the central point of the tourist attractions at the level of the spa tourist system (Ilieș et. al., 2015).

-The Lotus Flower is presented as logo for many institutions: The University of Oradea since 1964, the Sânmartin Communal Sports Club and especially the emission of unique post stamps of the Romanian Post Office (Figure 4), dedicated to the three rare elements of fauna and flora from the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve.

-The vicinity of Oradea city as main reservoir of tourists, as well as the presence of thermal water on the city’s territory, is reflected in local names “inherited” from the socialist period: Nufărul neighborhood, the Nymphaea scientific magazine edited by the Țării Crișurilor Museum, or more recent ones: The National Contest of Vocal Interpretation and Dance Floare de Lotus (The Lotus Flower), Lotus shopping center, etc.

The perspectives for the brand represented by the lotus flower and the thermal water will have to take into consideration the fundamental rules regarding the insurance of the brands’ immortality, the threats and opportunities to come, such as: social, economic, political trends, environmental issues and globalization (Pringler and Field, 2011, 42, 299).

Data base interpretation and results on the main interest themes

The interpretation of the research results according to the previously described specific objectives facilitate the delineation of a present day situation, according to territorial realities. This, in its turn, may represent a starting point in elaborating certain strategies for the development and promotion of the analyzed spa tourist system through present day trends, brands and local resources. Moreover, the local respondents’ responses show the degree of knowledge referring to their own resources, of the environment they live in, of the real/false image of the basic resources, important for the local development strategies. The sufficient or insufficient knowledge of the present day local realities are fully reflected by the results of this study. Such a contemporary example is the wrong location of the thermal lotus in association with Băile Felix and not with 1 Mai.

Information sources

Using from the data base only the information from the respondents who heard about the existence of the reserve, we tried to identify the main information sources in this respect. Thus, according to figure 5, the main information sources are the school (45.3%), the family (41.5%) and the friends (35.7%). Although, we expected higher values in what regards the virtual source of information, only 22.3% of respondents declare that they have heard about this nature reserve from the internet and mass media (29,5%).

Figure 5. The information sources about Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve

The degree in which the reserve is known amongst local inhabitants

Generally, the Băile Felix-1Mai spa tourist system is nationally acknowledged and appreciated due to the existence of thermal water and its therapeutic benefits. The questionnaire interpretation confirms the importance of this resource through the fact that most respondents (subjects) consider that the fame (the brand) and the acknowledgement of the tourist system are provided by the thermal water (81.1%) and by the existent therapeutic procedures and treatments (62%), determined by the valorization of thermal water (Figure 6).

Regarding the role played by the reserve (30.4%) and the protected species of animals and plants (29.1%), the local respondents considers them to a smaller extent as being important in the recognition (image) of the tourist system (Figure 6).

Another interesting aspect is the fact that very few make the connection between the thermal water as basic-support resource and the plant and animal species protected in reservation regime. No image or logo connects the three natural tourist resources, this being a topic to the analyzed and promoted.

Among other reasons Băile Felix and 1Mai are appreciated for, as mentioned by the subjects, even if in a small percentage, we mention: the aqua park, good tourist services, local gastronomy, beautiful landscapes.

Figure 6. The degree in which the reserve is known amongst local inhabitants

Another positive aspect results from the fact 67% of the local population is well informed about the existence of the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve, however, the 33% of the local population is quite a high percentage representing those who have never heard about its existence. Even though the protected lotus flower is known, in most cases it is wrongly associated to Băile Felix. The education level significantly contributes to constituting the first category, while the group of those who are less informed is made up of people with a lower level of education (Pearson coefficient of correlation =7,323, p<0.05).

Selecting only the data collected from subjects who declared that they know about this reserve (67%), we wanted to deepen the analysis regarding the degree of knowledge in this sense. Thus, most of respondents state that the reserve is well known at national and even international level, in the first place, for the species of Nymphaea Lotus (Thermal water lily). Thermal waters, as well as protected flora and fauna species are the next elements for which the reserve is appreciated. However, a low percentage of respondents were aware that the area is recognized as a nature reserve. Also, most subjects (91%) consider that the actual condition of the reserve is in an advanced state of degradation. This knowledge is not directly generated by the presence (visitation) of the local population in the protected area, but by the aggressive informing process through mass-media.

The degradation of the reserve

The section correlated with the second specific objective excludes the category of subjects who do not know about the existence of the reserve. The same principle also applies in the analysis of objectives focused on degradation causes and promotion strategies.

Respondents were asked to range their opinion regarding the risk of extinction to which the reserve is exposed at. In this sense, we used a measurement scale ranged between 1 and 10, where 1 = Not at all, 10 = To a great extent. The mean value in this sense is 7.6, which means that the local inhabitants are aware of the fact that the nature reserve is at a high risk of extinction.

On the same scale, the mean value of respondents` answers regarding the negative impact of tourism on the actual state of the reserve is 4.7. Accordingly, local inhabitants do not assign a negative relation between tourist activity in the area and the degradation of the nature reserve.

Figure 7. Causes of degradation

An important aspect is the fact that the group informed about the existence of the reserve shows opinions which are to be taken into consideration referring to the causes generating the degradation of the reserve. Figure 7 shows that the disinterest and negligence of authorities (88.5%), disinterest and negligence of local inhabitants (75%), water drilling (63%) and the inadequate way of using thermal water (54%) are the main causes of degradation outlined by respondents. An interesting fact is that a low percentage (31%) registered shows that the weather conditions are not considered by our respondents to have a negative impact on the actual state of the reserve, although research highlighted the major influence that drought and the lack of rainfalls from last years have had on the climate of the reserve.

The revitalization of the reserve

Amending people who do not respect the law that protects the reserve is considered to be the main way of reducing the degree of its degradation and preserving its condition (73% of answers). A higher degree of awareness for local inhabitants (66%) and rationalizing thermal water consumption (60%) are other aspects that could contribute to the improvement of the actual state of the reserve.

Figure 8. Methods for revitalising the reserve

The Ministry of Tourism is considered to be the authority which has the main responsibility in improving the actual condition of the reserve (76% of respondents state that), followed by the Environmental Guard (66.5% of the answers). The Crișuri Land Museum from Oradea, Oradea City Police and Oradea City Hall are authorities which are not considered by respondents to be of major importance in what regards the improvement of the present state of the reserve.

The touristic promotion of the reserve

On a same scale with values ranged between 1 to 10 (1 = Not at all and 10 = To a great extent), respondents were asked to declare their opinion about the way in which the reserve is promoted at touristic level. In this sense, the mean value is 4.02 which highlight the fact that the low degree of touristic promotion for the nature reserve is recognized among local inhabitants.

Most respondents (79%) consider that only a strategy for tourism development comprising the entire area of Bihor County could contribute in a great extent to a realistic promotion of the nature reserve, along with massive online touristic campaigns (75.5% of answers). The classical form of street publicity is favored by almost 60% of the respondents’ preferences.

Figure 9. Methods of touristic promotion

Conclusions

Nationally and internationally renowned, the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve benefits of a relatively high degree of acknowledgement amongst the local population, especially those with above average education level. Most respondents (67%) claim that the fame of the reserve has been provided especially by the existence of the thermal water lily – Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis. However, while promoting the protected species, it is frequently wrongly located in Băile Felix and it is mistaken with the common water lily, artificially populated in the resort. The thermal waters, prolific natural environment for the development of rare fauna species – Melanopsis parreysii and Scardinius erythrophtalmus racovitzai (Racoviță’s Rudd), are also renowned as being iconic for the fame of the reserve and of the Băile Felix-1Mai rural tourist system as well.

Currently, the reserve is in an advanced state of degradation, being even exposed to a very high risk of extinction, fact acknowledged in high percentage by the inhabitants of the area. The results of the research show the fact that the tourist activity which generally takes place in resorts is not emphasized as having a negative impact upon the advanced degradation state of the reserve. On the other hand, the responsible parties for this are considered to be the authorities’ and the local population’s lack of interest and negligence. Drilling for thermal water and the irrational way of using the thermal waters in the area are elements of negative influence upon the dynamics of the nature reserve.

The civic commitment and feeling are considered to be the basis for developing the sense of protection for the natural resources from the interest area, the society, through competent authorities, especially at national level, being responsible for punishing by giving fines to those who do not respect the law referring to the reserve protection, and for the increase of ecological awareness degree amongst the inhabitants. From technical point of view, the rationalization of the way in which the thermal water from the area is used could significantly contribute to the decrease of the nature reserve degradation degree.

The tourism practiced in the area could and should also benefit of tourist attraction by means of the natural tourist objectives, amongst which the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve could be worth mentioning. The lack of a proper tourist promotion, especially during its peak period and the negative effects of this deficiency constitute a well-known situation amongst the local population.

The research results highly emphasize the necessity to elaborate and implement an integrated tourist development strategy at Bihor County level which should promote nationally, as well as internationally, the main tourist objectives, especially the natural ones.

The brand elements in the case of the Băile Felix-1Mai tourist system are the thermal water and the thermal water lily. Both of them can be found within the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve, the paradox being in this case the degradation, up to extinction, of the primary source on which these elements are based. This fact expresses the existence of a reduced degree of knowing the present day realities in relation to the image promoted in time by the above mentioned elements. The protected species of thermal water lily continues to be advertised and graphically promoted in tourist offers, in infrastructure elements, etc., however, considering the degradation of the primary resource, the information are mostly wrong and not according to reality.

Although the Pârâul Pețea Nature Reserve and especially Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis occur in May 2015 on various advertising websites, it shows the lack of accurate information regarding the actual situation, though keeping these elements as main promotion brand is desired.

An interesting aspect is the fact that the internet (22.3%) is not the main information source at the level of the questioned sample, most information about the reserve being provided by school, family and friends.

Equally, a common version of water lily (Nymphaea alba; Fig.3) is intensely promoted as substitute of the protected version, mostly due to the lack of information (lack of specialists consulting) and to lack of knowledge of those who conceive the promotion material. Currently, in 2015, Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis (Figure 3) also survives outside the protected are due to a few specimens which can be found downstream, near the hydrometric point next to Luceafărul Stadium in Sânmartin village.

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