TOURISMRISKSANDRESILIENCEMANAGEMENT MirelaMazilu UniversityofCraiova,GeographyDepartment,Craiova,Romania RoxanaMarinescu… [614011]

TOURISMRISKSANDRESILIENCEMANAGEMENT
MirelaMazilu
UniversityofCraiova,GeographyDepartment,Craiova,Romania
RoxanaMarinescu
UniversityofCraiova,FacultyofEconomicsandBusinessAdministration,Craiova,Romania
DumitruBălă
UniversityofCraiova,FacultyofSciences,Craiova,Romania
Abstract:Thetourism,competitivesectorintheRomanianeconomicsector,stimulatestheeconomic
growthbygeneratingincome,jobs,investmentsandexports.Italsogeneratesothervaluablebenefits,
includingthepreservationoftheculturalheritage,improvedinfrastructure,facilitiesforlocal
communities,profit,preservationofthetraditions,sustainabledevelopmentofthenaturaland
anthropictourismheritage,etc.Unfortunately,therearecertainrisks,withvariousimpacts,suchas
thediversityoftechnologicalandeconomicrisks,terrorism,etc.Inspiteoftheirmanifestation,the
Romaniantourismprovesahighresistancefactortotheserisksthatcoulddestabilizeit,
demonstratingacertaincapacitytoadaptitselftotheserisks,continuingtorecordrisinggrowthrates
fromyeartoyearasregardingthenumberoftouristswhovisitourcountrybutalsotheexpenditures
spentbythetouristsontheRomanianterritory.TheRomaniantourismcontinuestogrow.Thus,
accordingtotheNationalStatisticsInstitutedata,thenumberofovernightstaysinthetourist
accommodationunitsinourcountryincreasedby5%inthefirstninemonthsoftheyear.Also,
arrivalsinaccommodationcapacitiesincreasedby5.5%.(Https://jurnaluldeafaceri.ro/turismul-in-
romania-2018/)
Ofthetotalnumberoftouristarrivalsinaccommodationplaces,thoserepresentingtheRomanian
touristsarrivalsaccountedfor77.9%.Atthesametime,foreigntouristshold22.1%.Thepercentages
aresimilartothosefromJanuary1toSeptember30,2017.
Ontheotherhand,intermsofarrivalsofforeigntourists,thelargestsharewasheldbythetourists
comingfromEurope(74.6%ofallforeigntourists).Ofthese,85.9%werefromEuropeanUnion
countries.Wenoticethat“Tourismisvictoriousalsoaftertheeconomiccrisis”,duetotheincreaseof
tourismevenduringtheyearsofcrisis2010,2011,2012,2013and2014,bothnowandglobally,as
wellasatthenationallevelofRomania,whichalsobenefitedfromtourismincreases,becauseman
despitecatastrophes,terroristactsandeconomiccrisiscontinuestotravel.Followingtheanalysis,we
deducedthattourismisastrongpointontheworldeconomyevenifitisaffectedbyvarious
phenomena.Theconceptofresilienceanditsspecificapplicationandrelevancefortourismis
especiallyappliedfortouristicdestinations.Resistancereferstotheabilityoforganisms,communities,
ecosystemsandpopulationstowithstandtheeffectsofexternalforceswhilepreservingtheirintegrity
andabilitytocontinuetofunction.Thisappliesespeciallytotouristicdestinationsandtouristic
attractionsthatareexposedtopotentiallydamagingandsometimesseveretourismdevelopmentand
visitation,butcanalsohavegreaterresistancetotheeconomicbenefitsoftourism
Keywords:tourism,risks,touristicdestinations,crisis,adaptivecapacity
Introduction
Atpresent,theconceptofresilienceisassociatedwiththescientific,social,political,economic,etc.
fields.Thus,manyformsofresiliencetookoverafunctionalandlinguisticform,suchas:

psychological,biological,urban,institutional,economic,financial,politicalandsocialresistance.
(Mazilu,M.,2016)
Inthesocio-economicenvironment,theconceptisanalysedaccordingtothesustainabilityofthe
developmentorintheanalysisofnaturalandanthropogenichazards,becomingthesubjectofseveral
interdisciplinaryworks.Thepressureexertedonthelandscapewiththeincreaseoftheintensityofthe
instructions,theexamplestoasuperimposedstructureand,thus,totheriskphenomenonleadtoanew
areaof​​studyintheGeographyofTourismthathasbeenapproachedlesssofar.(Mazilu,M.,
2002).Economic,specific,andtourismresiliencereferstotheabilityoftheeconomytorecoverorto
adapttotheeffectsithassuffered.
Asarule,astherearecrisissituationsthatcanbementioned-suchascoastalcitiesfacingincreasing
globaloceanlevelsorglobalwarming,aphenomenonthatthreatensthepopulation,tourismcrises
sharethefeaturesdescribedabove.
1.Reviewofthescientificliterature
Followingsomeresearch(Floydetal.,2004;Lepp&Gibson,2003;quotedinBalaz&Williams,2013),
ithasbeenshownthatthemainconcernsoftouristsarerelatedtosafetyandsecurity,emphasising
fourcategoriesofriskfactors:warandpoliticalinstability,health,crimeandterrorism.However,the
economicriskintourismisarelativelyunexploredfield,butcertainlyhavingahigherfinesse,the
literaturegenerallyemphasisingthepositiveinfluenceoftourismontheeconomicenvironmentorthe
studyofrisksfromthenaturalorpoliticalenvironmentontourism.Intourism,theriskhastwo
coordinates,namely:lackofinformationaboutthetouristicdestination,especiallycomparedtothe
destination-spaceofresidence[throughtheassessmentoftherelevanteconomicindicators]andlack
ofinformationonfutureconditions,startingfromtheweather,thenaturaldisastersorthesocialissues
(Chang,2009quotedinBalaz&Williams,2013).Theeconomicrisksarealsofilteredthroughthe
existingofferandservicefeatures(intangibility,inseparability,heterogeneityandperishability),their
contributionhinderingtheknowledgeandhencetherisk-takingprocess(Mitchell&Greatorex,1993,
quotedinBalaz&Williams,2013).Also,thetouristicmarketfeaturesmayincreasetheinfluenceof
economicriskonthedecisiontopurchase,becauseofthecomplexityofthedecisiontopurchasein
tourism(thisnotbeingaroutinedecision,characterizedbythelowfrequencyandtheincreased
importance,bothrationalandemotional,ofthedecisiontopurchase).Inthecaseofaneconomicrisk
assumedbythetourist,theexpensesassociatedtocertainneedsfoundonthelaststagesofMaslow's
pyramid(e.g.socialaffiliation,exceedingone'slimits)areprimarilytargeted.Inthesocio-economic
field,theconceptisanalysedaccordingtothesustainabledevelopment(Common,1995,quotedby
Klein,2004)orintheanalysisofnaturalandanthropogenichazards,becomingthesubjectofseveral
interdisciplinaryworks.Thepressureexertedonthelandscapewithanincreasingintensityleadstoa
structureoverloadingand,thus,totheemergenceofriskphenomena,determininganewareaofstudy
intourismgeography,slightlyapproacheduntilnow(Cocean,1999;Ianoș,2000;Mazilu,2012).
Crisesdonotstopattheimpactoncompaniesoperatingintourismandextendtotourists,orthose
operatinginthissector,ortotouristicdestinationsthatarefacingvariousharmfulchangesforall
partiesinvolved(Henderson,J.C.,2007).Thesecriseshavebeencategorizedovertime(Table1)by
severalauthorsaccordingtovariousfactors:
-in1978,Brecherclassifiescrisesaccordingtoseverity;
-in1987,ShivastavaandMitroffclassifycrisesaccordingtotheircauses;
-in1993,Boothclassifiescrisesbyduration.
Table1
NatureofCrisesinTourism
Field Externalcrisis Internalcrisis
Economics Recession
Monetarymovements
FeesIncreaseincosts
Non-profitability

Political Governmentpolicy
Internalrelations
Instability
Sociocultural Terrorism
RiotsStaffstrikes
Culturalconflicts
Environment Naturalphenomena
NaturaldisastersOvergrowth
Environmentaldegradation
Technology Pollution
Computersystemcollapse
Mechanizedsystemscollapse
DesignerrorsTransportaccidents
Trade Fires
Law
GovernmentinterventionsCompetition
Workconflicts
Managementdecisions
Humanerrors
Source:AdaptationbyJoanC.Henderson,Tourismcrises.Causes,consequencesandmanagement
2.Researchmethodology
Crisesmayariseasaresultofunexpecteddevelopmentsintheeconomic,political,socio-cultural,or
environmentalspheres,thesedevelopmentsaffectingtouristdemandandsupplybothinthecountry
wheretheyaretakingplaceandinthetouristissuingcountries.Thefactorsthatcangenerateoreven
favouracrisisintourismare:economicrecession,currencyinstability,withdrawalofinvestment
funds,politicalevents(elections,war,deteriorationofinternationalrelationsorterrorism),civilian
riots,increasedcrimeandviolence,naturaldisasters(earthquakes,typhoons,volcaniceruptionsor
floods).Theanalysisanddiagnosisofthese“shocks”ontourismhighlightthefactthattourismcomes
outoftheseshockswithaformofadaptabilitytotheseshocks.
2.1Economiccrises
Regional,nationalandinternationaleconomicfeatureshaveamajorinfluenceonthedemandand
supplyoftourismservices(Bull,1998).Thestrongeconomiccrisisalsoaffectsthetourismindustry.
Theeconomiclandscapeinthecountriesoforiginandthecountriesofdestinationinfluencestheflow
ofvisitorsaswellasthenatureandspeedofdevelopmentofthetourismindustryandthesumsspent
bytourists.Thefinancialpositionhasadecisiveroleintourisminsideandoutsidethecountryaswell
astheexchangerateanditsmovements.Highcompetitionisreflectedthroughpricesincertainsectors
ofthetourismindustryasrisingpricescanleadtocrises,especiallyiftheyhappenunexpectedly,for
examplewiththeriseinthepriceofoil,whichhasthepowertosloweconomicdevelopmentglobally.
Withtheriseinthepriceofoil,themostaffectedarethetransportcompaniesandespeciallythe
airlines.OneexampleistheeconomiccrisisinGreeceovertheselastyears.InGreece,tourism
providesabout17%ofGDPworth185billiondollars.In2012thenumberofforeigntouristsdropped
5.5%to15.5million,butaveragetravelexpensesbyatouristincreasedby1%to646euros.Greek
tourismrevenuesin2012werebelowexpectationsatthebeginningoftheyear.RevenuefromUS
touristsdropped20.7%to422.5millioneuros,inthecaseofGermantourists10.2%to1.65billion
euros,whileFrenchvisitorsgeneratedlowerrevenuesby8.8%to765.5millioneuros.Britishtourists
increasedrevenuesby18%to1.42billioneurosandtheRussiantouristsbrought947millioneuros,an
increaseby3.5%comparedto2011(Bussines24.ro).
2.2.Politicalcrises
Politicalregimescanhaveconsequencesonthetourismindustrybothintourism-generatingcountries
andintourism-receivingcountries,especiallyintimesofpoliticalcrisis.In1996Wilsondefineda
stableregimeasasustainableonewhereviolenceandcriminalityarelowandleadersremaininpower

formanyyears(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,p.120).Themediahaveadvantagesanddisadvantagesinthe
tourismindustrythroughtheimagecreated,consideringthefactthattourists,tour-operatorsand
investorshaveagreataversiontorisk.Allthesecategoriesinvolvedinthetouristicprocess
particularlypreferquietlocations,inducingtheideathattherearefewthreatstopersonalsafety.One
exampleisthepoliticalcrisisinThailandin2010thathasaffectedtourismintheregionandthe
domesticstruggleswereextremelyviolentturningBangkokintoafieldofwarandthehotelshadto
closeforalongertime.Duringtheconflicts,therewereonly464,000touristscomparedto1.1million
touristsinthesameperiodofthepreviousyear.HallandO'Sullivan(1996)foundsixtypesofpolitical
instability:internationalwars,civilwars,terrorism,popularuprisings,politicalandpopularupheaval,
andstrikes.
Anotherfactoraffectingtourismiscorruptionbeingpresentinallareas,presentingahighriskto
investors.Manifestationsofpoliticalinstabilityareasfollows:Terroristattackswithtouristvictims,
Armedattacks,Politicalassassinations,Governmentchange,Changeofrulingparty,Civilwar,
Airwayhijacks,Streetdemonstrations,Politicalinstabilityinneighbouringcountries,Terroristattacks
onareasoftouristicinterestsuchashotels,majortouristicareas,meansoftransport,War,Mass
censorship,etc.
Richterhighlightsextremelyinterestingandclearlytheimplicationsofthepoliticalcrisisontourism.
In1986,hestatedthat“whenpoliticalconditionsareprecarious,tourismisrapidlydeclining.Simply
touristschooseotherdestinations.Unfortunately,manynationalleaderseitherdonotunderstandordo
notwanttoacceptthatpoliticalsilenceandnotculturalornaturalattractionsarethefirstandthemain
requirementoftourism”.(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,pp.122,123).Itseemsthatexpertshavenotyetbeen
abletogiveacleardefinitionofterrorism.However,wecanconsiderterrorismasa“premeditated
action,oftenwithpoliticalmotivationsmanifestedonnon-combativetargetsbyclandestineorsub-
nationalistgroups”(DepartmentofState,USA,2004).
Terrorismisaclearthreattothestate,causinginstabilityaswellasnegativeeffectsonthepopulation
andtourists.Theglobalterrorismgoalisgeneraldestabilization,asaresultofwhichtourismisthe
targetofterroristattacks.Withtheterroristattacks,thenumberoftouristsdecreases,resultinginlower
revenues,weakeningthelocaleconomyandcausingsocialtensions(Table2).
Table2
Significantterroristattacksin2001-2017
DATE THETERRORISTATTACK
September
2001OnSeptember11,thestrongestterroristattackseverrecordedtookplaceontheWTCin
NewYork,thePentagoninWashington,andPennsylvania.
October
2002ThebombattackstookplaceinOctober2002ontwonightclubsinKuta(Bali),apopular
resortespeciallyamongyoungtourists.191peoplewerekilledandmorethan300were
injuredfollowingtheexplosionandthefirethatfollowed.
November
2002HotelParadis,Mombassa,Kenya,anIsraeli-ownedhotelwasthetargetofabombattackby
suicidebomber,resultingin15deadand40wounded.Missileswerealsolaunchedonan
IsraeliflighttoMombassa,theattacksbeingclaimedbytheAL-QAEDAgroupandother
Palestiniangroups.
February
2003AseriesofabductionsofEuropeantouristsbeganintheSaharaDesert(Algeria,bythe
GSPCgroup,indirectlylinkedtotheAL-QAEDAgroup).Atotalof32kidnappedtourists
whowerereleasedinAugustlessonewhodiedduetoaheartattack.
March
2003AbombplacedinthePhilippinesairportkilled21peopleandinjured149.Theassassination
wasattributedtotheMILFgroup-aseparatistIslamicgroup.
May
2003BombattacksinCasablanca,Morocco,locatedinaSpanishrestaurant,ina5-starhotel*and
inaJewishcommunitycentrethatkilled45peopleandinjured101people.
August
2003BombplantedinacarinfrontoftheMarriotHotelinJakarta,Indonesia,killing12people
andinjuring149,andtheassassinationwasclaimedbyJIgroup.
September
2003TheNationalLiberationArmykidnaps8touristsintheNationalParkofColumbia,one
escapedandtheotherswerereleasedlater.
October
2003InSabah(Malaysia),sixpeoplewerekidnappedfromatouristicresortnearthePhilippine
waters.Apersonisabletoescapeandtheotherswereexecuted.

DATE THETERRORISTATTACK
February
2004AnexplosionmadeaferrysinkintothePhilippines,with116casualties.
March
2004AL-QAEDAplacedtwobombssimultaneouslyincommutertrainsinMadrid.191peopleof
differentnationalities,includingRomanians,werekilledandmorethan2,000peoplewere
injured.
August
2004TwosimultaneousexplosionsintwoRussiancommercialaircraftskilled89people.
October
2004TheAL-QAEDAnetworkwassupposedtohaveplacedabombinahotelintheSinai
Peninsulathattook34livesandinjured159.
July
2005BombsexplodedinLondon'ssubwaysandbusescausing70casualtiesandhurtingover200
people.
July
2005IntheEgyptianresortofSharm-El-Sheikh,bombswereplantedincarskilling88peopleand
injuring100.
October
2005AbombatabeachrestaurantinBalikilled20peopleandinjured100.
October
2005BombinginNewDelhi,with61deadand200wounded,andnotknowingwhois
responsible.
November
2005AL-QAEDAsuicidebombersinHammanhotelskilling57peopleandinjuring120.
April
2006ThreebombswereplacedintheEgyptianresortofDahabwhere3peoplewerekilledand
over60injured.
April
2011SuicidebombattackinaMarrakechcafékilling15people,11ofwhomweretourists,and
injuring20.
September
2013AterroristattacktookplaceinamallinKenya,killing60peopleincludingtourists.
January
2015AttackswithgunfireatCharlieHebdo-Franceandinasupermarket,theauthorbeingAL-
QAEDA,killing17people.
November
2015SuicidebombingsinFrance,causedbytheIslamicstate,leaving130victimsand350
injured.
March2016TheIslamicstateattackedtheBelgianairportandmetroinBrussels,killing34peopleand
injuring136victims.
December
2016InBerlin,attheChristmasmarketofthecity,aScaniatruckenteredthecrowdproducingat
least12victimsand40injured,theauthorbeingtheIslamicState.Fig.3.1)
March
2017Anassailantkilledsixpeople,includingaRomanianwhowasvisitingthecity,butalso
injuredmany(about40injured)ontheWestminsterbridge(UK)withacar.Fig.3.2)
Source:I.C.Patrichi,2013,pp.126,127,128,129andWikipedia
Terroristactionsdirectedattouristsincludesuicidemissions,hijackings,bombings,orshootings,all
ofwhichcanhappeninavarietyofenvironments.Thereisalreadyahistoryofattacksonairportsor
airlinersaswellasonwateroronlandaffectingmostofthetouristsaccessingthesetransports.
ExamplesaretheterroristattacksofSeptember11,2001,wherefourplanesweredivertedata15
minutedifference,takingofffromthreeEastCoastairports(Fig.1).

Figure1.RoutesofhijackedairplanesonSeptember11,2001
(Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks)
TerroristswhoattackedAmericanAirlinesFlight11with92passengersonboardheadedfortheWTC
NorthtowerinNewYorkCityonSeptember11,2001,at8.45.Atadifferenceof15minutes,asecond
airplane(UnitedAirlines,Flight175)with65passengerswashijackedandhitbytheWTCSouth
Tower.Bothtowerscollapsedshortlyafter,andthedisasterendedwithabout3,000dead.Another
groupofterroristsattackedAmericanAirlinesFlight93with45passengersandheadedtoWashington
DC.Passengerstriedtoreact,but,unfortunately,theplanecrashedinPennsylvania.ThelastAmerican
AirlinesFlight77,with64passengersonboard,washijackedandcrashedbythePentagonbuilding,
resultingin125deaths.
TheseattackswereclaimedbytheAL-QAEDAterroristgroup,andtheincidentsproducedhadthe
immediateeffectofgroundingallaircraftonNorthAmericanterritoryaswellasclosingairspacefor2
days,affectingmillionsofpassengers.Theeffectsoftheseterroristattackswerefeltinthelongrun,
especiallybythedomesticandinternationaltourism.If,in2000,theinternationalarrivalsinNorth
Americawere128.2million,in2001,therewereonly122.2and,in2002,only116.6million.The
decreaseinthenumberofinternationalarrivalsoftouristswasalsofeltglobally(from686millionin
2000to648millionin2001).Transportation,accommodation,recreationandothertourismservices
recordedsignificantlossesasaresultoftheseincidents(fig.2).Evenbankruptcycasesforairlineswere
recorded,leadingtothedismissalofanumberofemployees.Someexamplesthatrefertothismoment
are:AIRCANADAdismissingthenumberof20,000employees,BritishAirways,whichreducedthe
numberofemployeesby7,000,etc.Thiscrisissince2001raisedtheawarenessoftheVisitUSA
Organizationsandtheprivateemployeroftheseorganizationswaswillingtospendconsiderablesums
inrehabilitatingthetouristicimageoftheUnitedStatessothattheycouldselltheirproducttotheir
targetmarkets(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,p.132-135).Hotelsandnightclubsareamongtheeasiesttargetsto
attackbecausethenumberoftouristsismuchhigher,butalsotouristicattractionsofmajorregionalor
nationalinterestmaybetargetsaswell.

F
igure2.TerroristattacksinEuropebetween2004-2016
(Source:evz.ro)
Cultureandthesocialelementareinfluencesofthetourismdevelopmenttomakechangesinthe
destinationcountries.Theseelementscancausetensionsbetweenthetouristsandthehostpopulation,
thusgeneratingcrisissituations.Regardlessofthelevelatwhichthesecrisesoccur,thecauses
triggeringtheconflictsbetweenthehostpopulationandthetourists(whichthreatentheirsafety)and
damagingtheimageofthetouristicdestinationsaretobefoundandremoved.
TheseconflictsariseeitherfromtheignorancecreatedbytouristsovertherulesimposedbytheGaza
population,whichinturnisdisturbedbytheindifferenceoftourists,alsocreatingconflictsbetween
them.Theuseofindecentclothes,theconsumptionofalcohol,theeatingofstrictlyforbiddenproducts
inthearea,non-observanceofreligionandthedisplayofsame-sexcouplesareconsideredserious
violationsoftheGazapopulation,andthesesituationsarenotwidelyacceptedinMuslimcountries.
2.3.Crisescausedbynaturalphenomena
Thereasonforthecrisescausedbynaturalphenomenaisthedeteriorationofimportanttouristic
resourcesthatsometimesendangerthehealthorsafetyofindividuals,andtouristsbegintomoveto
othernewtouristicdestinationsthattheyperceivetobemoreattractiveorlessrisky.
Theenvironmentdeteriorationmaybesuddenduetonaturaldisasters,butalsoslowthroughthe
pollutionprocess.Also,tourismcanalsobeanegativefactorthatcandegradetheenvironmentand
causecrises.Remediationoftheenvironmentmaytakelongerorlessdependingondamagescaused
bynaturalorman-madedisasters,butalsobytheauthorities'response.Somecrisescanbeforeseen
andmeasurescanbetakenagainstthem,whileothers,especiallythoserelatedtothepoormanagement
oftheindustry,canbeavoided.Thelocationsontheshoresoftheseasandoceans,nearriversorin
themountainregionshaveamuchhigherriskofdisasterssuchasfloodsandstorms,butalso
avalanchesproducedeitherbynatureorbyhumans.

Somespecificexamplesoftheselocationsarethoseinwhichnaturecausedtragedies:5,000
motorcyclistscaughtbyaHimalayanavalancheontheJammu-StrinagarhighwayinIndia;touristic
resortsintheCaribbean(Antigua,Dominica,GuadalupeandSt.Tomasbeingsweptbywindsover
225km/hofthehurricanesLuisandMarlyn;inSpain,acampingwasdestroyedbyamountainflood,
70touristslosingtheirlives.(DatadownloadedfromtheUnitedNationsOfficefortheCoordination
ofHumanitarianAffairswebsite).
Thetourismindustryisexposedtothedestructiveforcesofnature,forexample:theoccurrenceof
mountainavalanchesintouristicresortsdestroyingaccommodationunitsaswellascausingdeaths,
violentandextremelydangerousstormsoccurringintropicalareas,floodsthatcausematerialdamage;
earthquakesandtsunamis,etc.Devastationcausedbyearthquakesandtsunamisalsohaveasignificant
impactontourismintheregion,affectingthenumberofflightsaswellasthepurchaseoftouristic
services.
Figure3.Globaldisastermap
(Source:PACSR,http://www.pa-csr.cn/english/pa_csr.htm)
Themap(Fig.3)highlightsthe2008worlddisasters.Wenoticedthattropicalcyclones,tornadoesand
floodswerepresentonallcontinents,butthemostaffectedwereCentralAmericaandAfrica,whichin
turnwasalsoaffectedbyamultitudeofnegativeeffectsonthepopulationsuchasepidemics,famine,
etc.
ThenumberofdisastersofdifferenttypesinEuropeaffectsthecontinentlesscomparedtoothers.
Australiaisalsoonlyaffectedbytornadoes,storms,strongstormsandfires.Asiacoversalmostall
typesofdisasters,butmostarelocatedinChina.
Indonesiaisthemostaffectedareawheredisastersarefrequentandnumerous,suchastornadoes,
severelocalstorms,tropicalcyclones,epidemics,wildfires,fires,technicaldisasters,volcanismand
landslides.WementionthedevastatingtyphooninJapanonJuly6,2017.
2.4.HealthandTourism

Conflict
trigger
TheexistenceoftensionConflictstatus
acknowledgementConflictstatus
amplification
Conflict
situationend
STAGESDURATIONCONFLICTINTENSITY
PRE-CRISIS
STAGEACTUAL
CRISISSTAGEPOST-CRISISSTAGETourismandhealtharecloselylinkedfromseveralpointsofview:spatourism(healthimprovement)
andphysicalandpsychologicalbenefitsofrecreationandrelaxation.Healthplaysanimportantrolein
thechoiceofdestinations,thetouristwillstayawayfromadestinationwherehe/shewillsufferand
thetourismindustrywillnotpromoteadangerousdestinationfromthispointofview.
Therearealsoriskswhiletravellingoncethedestinationsarereached,especiallyinfectiousdiseases
affectingtourists.Risksfallintotwotypes:voluntaryandinvoluntary.Voluntaryaresexually
transmitteddiseasesandinvoluntaryarethediseasesthatcausemassinfestationofthepopulation.
Studiesshowthatthehealthofabout50%oftouriststravellinginternationallyisaffectedinsomeway
andthattheincreaseinthepopularityoftripsoutsidethecountryisaccompaniedbyanincreaseinthe
numberoftropicalillnesses.(Connor,B.A.,2005,p.18)
2.5.Technologicalcrisesandtourism
Technologyisvitaltothemoderntourismindustryandplaysanessentialroleincreatingand
implementingtourismservices.(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,p.148).Tour-operatorsrelyoncurrenttechnology
asitimprovesaccommodation,transportorleisure,butitcanalsocreatepanicwhenitisnotworking
anymore.Itisrecommendedtotakeactionsuchascautionandperiodicinspectiontopreventmajor
disasters.Wementionthatabout70%ofairaccidentsand90%ofcaraccidentsandothersare
believedtobetheresultofhumanerror,suchasthesinkingoftheCostaConcordiacruiseshipon
January13,2012,hittingarock,andtheimpactcreatedabreachof50m,whichledtoanimmediate
floodingofthevessel.Theincidentresultedin30deadand2missing.Thehumanerrorwasthe
deviationfromthenormalcoursebyordergivenbythecaptainofthevessel.
2.6.Crisismanagementintourism
Thenotionofcrisisisofparticularcognitiverelevancetohumanandsocialsciences.Contraryto
phenomenaandprocessesinnaturethatoccurindependentlyofhumanwillandconsciousness(such
asphysical,chemical,biological),thephenomenaandprocessescharacteristicofthesocial-human
worlddirectlyinfluencepeople'slivesand,assuch,areprioritizedinthesocialsciencesregisterof
knowledge(Otovescu,A.,Motoi,G.,Frăsie,M.C.,Otovescu,D.,2001).Thecrisisisdefinedasa
criticalchangeofkeyvariables,achangethatcanendangerorevendestroypartsofanentiresystem.
Mostinfluencesontheuseofthetermcomefromthepoliticalsphere,andtheissueisrelatedtothe
developmentofasystemtopreventthecrisis.(WEISZ,J.,2012).Thiscanbedefinedas“an
unexpectedeventthatlowerstheconfidenceoftouristsinthedestinationaffectedbythecrisisand
interfereswiththepossibilityofcarryingoutactivitiesnormally”(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,p.152).

Figure4.Dynamicsoftheconflictprocessandcrisisstages
(Source:original)
Crisismanagementisthecompletestrategy,processesandmethodsthathelptopreventandmanagea
crisissituation.Techniquesandmanagementoperationsarebasedon:goodcommunication;
promotion;safetyandsecurity;marketresearch,etc.Managementisclassifiedinthreesteps(Figure4):
Pre-crisisstage;Actualcrisis;Post-crisisstage.
2.6.1.Pre-crisisstage
Tourismdestinationsinareaspronetotheemergenceanddevelopmentofnaturalphenomenasuchas
earthquakes,tornadoesandvolcanoescancreatedifferentmanagementstrategiesinadvanceto
recoverfromthesedisasters,sothepre-crisisstageplaysanimportantroleinminimizingtheimpact
ofthecrisis.Forastrategyinthepre-crisisphase,thefollowingelementsapply:
a)creatingacommunicationstrategy:
Developamanagementplan.Takingintoaccountthatthiscrisiscantakeonmultipleforms,it
isagoodideathatadestinationmanagementshouldbepreparedfortheworstcasescenario.
Considerationshouldbegiventotheresourcesthatitsdestinationhastodealwiththecrisis,the
distributionofresponsibilitiesandthecreationofacontrolchain,theinvolvementofpublicservices,
andprivatetourismcompaniesinthemanagementplanelaboration.Communicationisthekeyto
overcomeacrisissituation.Managementplansneedtobereviewedannually.
Appointingspokespersons.Theeffectsofcrisesaregreatlyoverestimatedwheninformationis
transmittedovermultipleandnotalwaysverifiedsources.Massmediatendstoturnanycrisis
situationintoalargescalecrisisusingincorrectinformation.Therefore,itisnecessarytoappoint
officialspokespersons,totransmittheinformationasaccuratelyaspossiblesothatpeoplemaybe
awareofwhatishappeninginadestinationinacrisissituation.
Establishingamediacommunicationdepartment.Anydestinationororganizationinthefield
oftourismshouldconsideramediacommunicationdepartment.Peopleinthisdepartmentshouldbe
trainedregardingtherelationshipwiththemedia.Thisrelationshipwiththemediashouldbeoneof
totaltransparencyandthecommunicationwiththemmustbeachievedevenbeforeacrisisoccurrence.
Goodcommunicationwiththelocalmedia.Mostoften,whenacrisisoccurs,theinformation
isretrievedfromthelocalmediaanddistributedinternationally.Therefore,apermanentcontactwith
thelocalmediashouldbeestablishedsothatdistributedinformationbecorrect.
b)Promotion:
Creatingadatabaseofpartnersinthetourismindustry.Tour-operatorswhosendtouriststo
theirchosendestination,travelagencies,andcarriers,allshouldbeinthetouristicservicesproviders'
databaseofthetouristicdestination.
Correctandhonestinformation.Inordertomaintainthecredibilityofatouristicdestination,
butalsoontheservicesoffered,honestyisneeded.“Overbooking”situationsorpresentationofa
deformed,misleadingimageofthetradedtouristicproductshouldbeavoided.Aninternationally
knowndestination,theBahamas,founditselfinsuchasituationwhenitwasaccusedofhavingused
imagesofHawaii,SeychellesandFloridaininternationalmediacampaigns.
Settingabudgetforemergencysituations.Restoringatourismdestinationaffectedbyacrisis
requiresadditionalfundsforfurtherpromotionandcorrectinformationofthepublicopinion.A
managermustconsiderestablishingreservesforsuchcrisissituationswhendraftingthebudget.This
savestimebyeliminatingbureaucraticproceduresforthesubsequentobtainingofthesefunds.
C)Reviewofsecuritysystems:
Creatingasafeclimatebysettingupspecialdepartments.Theobjectivesofthesedepartments
shouldaimatthesafetyandsecurityoftourists.Thesedepartmentsmayincludemembersof
ministries(tourism/internalaffairs),regionalandlocalbodies.
Stafftraining.Thefirstpeopletointerveneincrisissituationsaretheemployeesofthe
respectivecompany(amusementpark,restaurant,hotel,etc.)andinthiscaseitisnecessarytotrain
thembyorganizingworkshopsincollaborationwiththelocalpoliceorprivatecompaniesinthefield
ofsecurity.

Creatingemergencycentres.Thiscomprisestheestablishmentofatouristicpoliceorcall-
centreswithinformationavailableinseveralinternationallanguages.Theinformationaboutthese
mustbesenttotouristsonthefirstvacationday.Suchtouristiccentresorthetouristicpoliceis
frequentlyfoundinsometouristicdestinations,beingknowntobepronetothedevelopmentofviolent
socialconflicts,namelyEgypt,Argentina,theDominicanRepublic,Malaysia,etc.(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,
pp.154,155,156).
2.6.2.Theactualcrisis
Atthiscrisisstage,thefirst24hoursareextremelycriticalinatouristicdestination.Duringthistime,
thefinalimageofthatdestinationcanbepermanentlydeteriorated.Thebestmanagementachieved
mustfollowthefollowingguidelines:
a)communicatingasaccuratelyaspossibletheinformationthrough:
Honestyandtransparency.Thesearevitalelementsinmaintainingthecredibilityofa
destination.Theinformationneedstobetransmittedtothemediaandtothepopulationinasdirecta
wayaspossible,withouthidingsituationsorincidentsofpublicinterest.
Permanentcommunicationwiththemedia.Inthissituationwheretheinformationispartialor
missing,themedianotonlywillnotgivetheopportunitytotherespondentstoexpresstheirpointof
view,butwillseekalternativesourcesofinformation.Suchinformationobtainedfromalternative
sourcesmaybedistortedandmayplacethedestinationinanegativelight.
Creatingamediacentre.Thisrequiresonlyaroomequippedwithoffices,telephonesand
internetaccess,wheremediarepresentativescanoperate.Thiscentrecanalsobeusedforpress
conferences.ItisknownthatincaseofeventssuchasSeptember11,2001,ortheSEAsiatsunami,
hundredsofmediarepresentativesarrivedonthespottotransmithotinformation.
Actingquickly.Thenewscirculatesquickly,butthenegativenewscirculatesevenmore
quickly.Thusitispreferablefortheresponsiblepersonstoprovideinformationonthemagnitudeof
thecrisissituationasquicklyaspossible.Theinformationwillalsobetransmittedassoonasthe
answerstothefollowing5questions:Who?,What?,Where?,When?andWhy?havebeengiven.
Therefore,amediacommunicationchartshouldbeestablished.
Increasedattentiontothetransmissionofvictiminformation.Victims'familiesoftenfollow
allinformationbroadcastedonTV,theradioorthepressinordertofindoutwherethemembersarein
acrisisaffecteddestination.Inthiscontext,informationaboutthetouristsshouldbeaheadofthat
representedbyfinanciallossesoreconomicimpacts.
Avoidingspeculation.Speculationsonthereasonsthatledtotheoccurrenceofthecrisisorthe
numberofvictimsshouldbeavoidedinthefirstphase.Also,theuseofthephrase“thedestinationis
safe”immediatelyafteranegativeeventcanhaveanadverseeffectonpotentialtourists.
Contestingfalseinformation.Personsinchargeoftransmittinginformationmustalwaysbe
preparedwithconcretedatatobeabletocounteractincorrectnewsaboutthestateinwhichthe
destinationisduringacrisissituation.
UsingtheInternetforaccurateandfasttransmissionofinformation.Consideringthe
magnitudeoftheinternetoverthelastdecade,thetransmissionofinformationonthischannelmaybe
achoicethatmakesthedifferencebetweentherecoveryorthedownfallofacrisisdestination.
b)Makingthebestdecisionsonpromotionthrough:
Directcommunicationwithtouroperators.Byconductingonlineconferencesorbyinviting
theirrepresentativestovisittheirdestinationduringorjustafterthecrisis.Thisway,theycanforma
correctopinionontheirdestination.ThishappenedinAsiaafterthecrisiscausedbythetsunami
waves.
Creatingnewpromotioncompanies.Promotionofatouristicdestinationshouldnotbe
interruptedbytheoccurrenceofacrisissituation,butthemessageofthecampaignsthatreach
potentialtouristsshouldbechanged.Specializedwebsitesonsuchcampaignscanbecreatedtoshow
up-to-dateinformationontheactionstakeninordertorestorethedestination.

Organizingpromotionaleventsortourismfairs.Invitingtouroperators,carriers,mediaoutlets
tosucheventsmaybeagainfortheaffecteddestination.Theeffectsofsucheventswillbefeltover
time.
c)Actualsecurityaspectsby:
Creatinganemergencynumber.Thisissueisextremelyimportantinacrisissituation.The
numberofthiscentremustbemadepublicbyallexistingmeansofcommunicationsothatvictimsor
membersofthevictims'familiescancallatanytimetofindoutaboutthem.
CreatingaVolunteerCentre.Thereareanumberofdestinationsincrisiswherevolunteers
haveplayedanimportantroleinrescuingtourists.Therefore,theinformationaboutthiscentrehasto
betransmittedtothepressandmadepublicamongthoseinterested.(Patrichi,I.C.,2013,pp.157,158,
159).
2.6.3Post-crisisstage
Thisstageislargelyfocusedonregainingthetrustoftourists,buttheeffectsofthecrisiscanremain
aliveforalongtimeinthemindsofpotentialtouristsrelatedtothechosentouristicdestination.
a)Promptcommunicationandcorrectinformation:Sendingpositivenewstoregaintheconfidenceof
tourists,Attractingjournaliststotheareatoseethepost-crisissituationandtoproperlyinformthe
population,Remembranceoftheeventthroughmanifestationsatthepassageof3,6,9,12monthsand
thenannually,Creatingasectionofnewsontheownsiteofthedestinationorthecompanyaffected
byacrisis,Joiningtheinternationaltourismpromotioncampaignshasanextraordinarypositive
impactamongpotentialtourists.
b)Flexibilityandadaptation:Creatingnichesegmentsornicheproducts,throughtouristicpackages
focusedonactivitiessuchasgolf,sports,culturalevents,honeymoons,etc.AttractingtheSpecial
InterestGroup(SIT)bycreatingattractivepackages,Promotingthroughattractivepricesandspecial
offersonvariousoccasions(holidays,culturalorreligiousevents,etc.),Increasedpromotionbothon
theinternationalmarketandespeciallyonthenationalmarket.Forexample,aftertheterroristattacks
inBali,theNationalTourismOfficemovedontoamoreintensepromotiononthedomesticmarketso
thathotelscancontinuetowork.ThePersianGulftouristsspenttheirholidayintheregion(Dubai,
BahrainorotherArabcountries)aftertheterroristattacksofSeptember11,2001.
c)Securityby:Assessingsecurityandsafetymeasuresamongtouriststhroughregularchecksor
permanentcontactwithorganizationsandinstitutionsdealingwiththestudyofenvironmentalissues,
Creatingaconsumerprotectionsystemfrombanalcomplaintsanddissatisfactiontoseriousand
extremesituations(inthecaseofanaturalcatastrophe,forexample).
Table3
Global,stateandindividualcausesaffectingtourism
Causes Diversityoffactors
Globalcauses •Differentphilosophiesonthescienceofthinkingaboutplanetaryspace;
•Limitationofresourcesanddiscretionaryaccesstothemaswellasto
knowledge(technologyandinformation);
•Diversityofcultural(religious)systems;
•Diversityofpoliticalsystems(regimes,doctrines);
•Territorialdisputes;
•Thegapbetweenprosperityandpoverty.
Statecauses •Failuretoadaptthepolitical,economic,financialrelationships,aswellasthe
appropriate,conceptionsandinstitutionstothenewconditionsofferedbythe
globalenvironment;
•Destabilizingtheoperationandstructureofthepoliticalandadministrative
system;
•Seriousdamagetosocialrelationships.
Individualcauses •Decreaseinrevenues
•Increasingthecostofliving;

•Unemployment;
•Bio-psycho-socialfactors.
(Source:original)
3.ResultsandDiscussion
Tourismshowsusthatitisalsoawinneraftertheeconomiccrisisthrough:Thecontributionof
tourismtoeconomicgrowth.Theincreasingvolumeandthecomplexityofthetouristicservicesoffer
havegeneratedthedevelopmentofarealtravelandtourismindustry,whichjustifiestreatingthe
tourismphenomenonasadistinctbranchofthedevelopingnationaleconomy,beingacomponentof
thetertiarysector.Byitsnature,thetourismphenomenonisverycomplex,withitsprofoundsocial,
political,culturalandeconomicimplications.Theinterpenetrationofitsheterogeneouscomponents
givesrisetoauniqueandoriginalspecificitythatdoesnotidentifywithanyofthetraditionalbranches
ofnationaleconomies,fullyjustifyingitsautonomoustreatment.However,unlikeotherservice
sectors,thetravelandtourismindustrystillremainsaconsequence,whosephaseswillbepermanently
correlatedwiththelevelsandpacesofthedevelopmentoftheotherbranchesofthenationaleconomy
(Snak,O.,Baron,P.,Neacșu,N.,2003,p.61).Tourismisalsoadistinctfieldofactivity,amajor
componentofeconomicandsociallifeforagrowingnumberofcountriesoftheworld.Tourismhasa
considerableimpactontheeconomies,theculturesofcertaincountries,butalsoonsocieties.
Thecorrelationbetweenthedevelopmentofbothnationalandinternationaltourismalongwith
economicgrowthisevidentasitdrivesthedemandforarangeofgoodsandservicesthatwouldnot
havebeenproducedorprovided.Thetourismexpenditurestructurereflectstheimpetusthatthese
expendituresgivetosectorscontributingtotheachievementofthetourismproduct,theprocessof
revenuegrowthtakesplacefirstandforemostinthesesectorsandthengraduallytransferredtoother
sectorsofthenationaleconomythroughthesuccessiveinflowsofthemoneycollectedfromthe
tourists,representingrevenuesderivedfromthesesectors.
Theeffectsofeconomicgrowtharerecordedinthefollowingsectorsofeconomicactivity:Insectors
thatprovideinvestmentintourism,e.g.theconstructionindustryanditsfinancingbybankssuchas
financialtrusts,etc.,Inthegeneralandtouristicinfrastructure,e.g.roads,airports,theutilitiesnetwork
(waterandenergy),etc.;Incommerce,morepreciselyinthedevelopmentofthenetworkof
commercialunits,inordertosatisfythedemandforgoodsofthetourists,Thelightindustrysector,
whichproducesthekindofmerchandiserequestedbythetourists,thefoodindustrysectorsupplying
agro-foodproducts,beveragesetc.fortheneedsofthetourists,Inthesectorofservicesprovidedto
thetourists(passengertransport,telephone,post,internet,hairdressing,repairservices,etc.),Inthe
culturalandartisticsector(theatre,cinema,etc.)andsportseventsattendedbytourists.
Tourismgrowthinthecrisisyears2010-2014,butalsoatpresent,“Tourismhasshownstrongand
tremendousresistanceinrecentyears,despitemanychallenges,especiallythoserelatedtosafetyand
security(Figure5),noticingthatthenumberoftouristarrivalshasincreasedyearbyyear,especially
duringtheperiodbetween2009and2016,aswellastheincomefromtourism.However,international
travelhascontinuedtogrowandcontributetojobcreationandthewelfareofcommunitiesaroundthe
world”,statedtheUNWTOSecretaryGeneral,TalebRifai.Globaltourismcontinuedtostrengthen
recoveryin2010despitetheimpactofdevelopmentsintheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica,aswellas
thetragiceventsinJapanandtherestoftheworld,whichhavetemporarilyaffectedtravelflowsto
theseregions.

Figure5.Touristicarrivalsandinternationalincome(1995-2016)
(Source:WorldTourismOrganization(UNWTO))
TheWorldTourismOrganization(UNWTO)hadexpectationsthatthedestinationsthatfaced
difficultiesduringthatperiodwouldforeseethatdemandwouldreturnbytheendoftheyear.Taleb
Rifai(SecretaryGeneraloftheWTO)saidthat“Itistimetosupportthesedestinationsandtohelpthe
tourismsectorrevive,contributingtoeconomicandsocialstabilityandoverallprogress.”Tourismhas
shownastrongandextraordinaryresilienceintherecentyears,despitemanychallenges,especially
thoserelatedtosafety,andyetthetripshaverisenasinthecaseofRomania,thegrowthoftourismin
2017beingunanimouslyappreciatedthelargestofthepastnineyears.
Internationaltouristicarrivalsincreasedby4.5%inthefirstfourmonthsof2011.Accordingtodata
fromtheUNWTOWorldTourismBarometer,growthwaspositiveinallregionsexcepttheMiddle
East.Somesub-regionsregisteredatwo-digitincrease:SouthAmerica(17%),SouthAsia(14%)and
SoutheastAsia(10%),butEuropewasleadingintourismgrowthinJanuary-April2011.
Aprilwasthebestmonth,withanestimated6%increase.ThismonthreflectedtheprolongedEaster
holiday,whenEuropeanairspacewasclosedforalmostaweekduetotheashcloudcausedbythe
eruptionofanIcelandicvolcano.
Europeexceededexpectationsandrecordedthehighestgrowthinthefirstfourmonthsof
2011.DestinationsinNorthern,EasternandSouthernEuropewereparticularlygood.
GrowthinAsiaandthePacific(5%)wasconsistentwiththeworldaverage,butslightlybelowthe
previousestimations.Asiaand,inparticular,NortheastAsia,sufferedtheimpactoftheearthquakeand
thetsunamiinJapan,whichaffectedbothentryandexitways,andtheintra-regionaltravelfromother
markets.
InAmerica,internationaltouristarrivalshaveincreasedby5%duetostrongtheSouthAmerican
results,whichisthestrikingoppositiontotheloweraveragegrowthofdestinationsinNorthAmerica
andCentralAmerica.
MiddleEastdeclinedby(-7%)andNorthAfricawith(-11%)beingconsiderablyaffectedbyrecent
developments(naturalandman-madehazards).However,somedestinationsintheMiddleEast
showedparticularlypositiveresults,suchasSaudiArabiaandDubai(UnitedArabEmirates),interms
oftouristicdestinations.

UNWTOmaintainstheforecastforinternationaltouristarrivalsin2011,between4%and5%,slightly
abovethelong-termaverageandinlinewithpreviousassessments.DevelopmentsintheMiddleEast,
NorthAfricaandJapanwouldnotsignificantlychangetheoverallforecast.
“Wheredotheycomefrom?”Thisquestionhighlightstheshareoftouristswhotravelthemostand
mostexactlyonwhatcontinentstheycomefrom.ItisnoticedthatmosttouristscomefromEuropeto
theothercontinents,accountingfor53%,followedbyAsiawith22%andAmerica17%.TheMiddle
Eastrepresents4%whileAfricaonly3%andtheremaining1%isunspecified.
“Wheredotheygo?”Thisisthesecondquestionthatrepresentsthepreferenceforthetouristic
destinationoftouristsoncontinents.ItisnotedthatEuroperanksfirstwith51%,whichmakesitclear
thattouristspreferEurope.Inturn,AsiaPacificisrankedsecondwith22%andAmerica16%.Middle
EastandAfricarepresentafairlylowpercentage,respectively6%and5%.Itcontinueswiththe
question“Whydotheytravel?”Touriststravelforvariousreasons,suchasholidays,recreation,
entertainment,familyandfriendsvisiting,health,businessinterest,etc.Itisremarkablethatmost
touriststravelmoreforrecreation,entertainment,holidays,highlightingapercentageof51%.Visiting
family,friends,andotherpurposespointsto27%andbusinessesto15%.Theremaining7%isspecific
forothertravelpurposes.
Destinationsaroundtheworldindicatedanestimated490millionovernightvisitorsinthefirstsix
monthsof2016,accordingtotheAdvanceEditionoftheUNWTOWorldTourismBarometer.This
representsanincreaseof5%or25millioninternationaltouristscomparedtothesameperiodof2015.
Growthwasstrongerfordevelopingeconomies(6%)thanforadvancedeconomies(4%).
“Thefactthatinternationaltourismhasexceededexpectationsconfirmsthatthetraveltermisnow
partoftheconsumptionpatternsforanincreasingnumberofpeopleindevelopingandadvanced
economies,”saidTalebRifai.Itunderlinestheneedtocorrectlyplacetourismasoneofthekeypillars
ofsocio-economicdevelopment,beingafactorcontributingmainlytoeconomicgrowth,exportsand
jobs”,thestatementwasalsomadebytheSecretary-GeneraloftheWTO.
Inastilluneveneconomicenvironment,theresultswerepositiveinallregionsandsub-regions,
althoughtheoverallpicturewascombined.Europewith(+5%)provedtobesurprisinglystrongerthan
expected,ledbyCentralandEasternEuropewith(+10%)andSouthernEuropeandtheMediterranean
with(+6%).AsiaandthePacificshowedapercentageof(+6%),whichmeanstheyalsoexceededthe
expectations,accentuatedbySoutheastAsiawith(+12%)andSouthAsiawith(+7%).Ontheother
hand,theresultswereweakerthananticipatedinAmerica,namely(+2%),asSouthAmericaandthe
Caribbeanwerebehind.In2015,growthwasstrongestinAmerica(+6%),followedbyAsiaandthe
PacificandEurope(bothshowing+5%).Thesub-regionsofSouthAsiaandNorthernEuropeshowed
apercentageof(+8%)beingthemostperforming,alongwithNorth-EastAsiaandSouthernEurope-
theMediterranean,indicatingapercentage(+7%)(Fig.6).Thenumberofinternationaltourists
(overnightvisitors)reached1.138millionin2015,with51millionmorethanin2014.Withan
increaseof4.7%,thisisthefifthconsecutiveyearofgrowthoveraveragecomparedtothe2010
economiccrisis(Figure.6).

Figure6.Internationaltourismin2015
(Source:WorldTourismOrganization)
“Theseresultsshowthattourismstrengthenspositiveperformanceinrecentyears,providingglobal
economicdevelopmentsandopportunities,”saidUNWTOSecretaryGeneral,TalebRifai.”Indeed,
despitethegeopoliticalandeconomicchallenges,thenumberofinternationaltouristshasincreasedby
anaverageof5%peryearsince2010,atrendthathasturnedintomoreeconomicgrowth,more
exportsandmorejobs”,headded.
Inthesub-regionsofNorthernEurope,SouthernEuropeandtheMediterranean,North-EastAsia,
Oceania,SouthAsia,theCaribbean,CentralAmerica,SouthAmericaandtheMiddleEastrecorded
thefastestgrowth.(Fig.7andFig.8)

Figure7.Internationaltourismin2014(Internationaltouristarrivals)
(Source:www.moodiedavittreport.com)
Figure8.Internationaltourismin2014(Revenuesfrominternationaltourism)
(Source:www.moodiedavittreport.com)
“Internationaltourismreachednewheightsin2015.Therobustperformanceofthesectorcontributes
totheeconomicgrowthandcreatesnewjobsinmanypartsoftheworld.Itisthereforeessentialfor
countriestopromotepoliciesthatpromotecontinuedtourismgrowth,includingtravelfacilitation,
humanresourcedevelopmentandsustainability”,saidUNWTOSecretary-General,TalebRifai.
In2016,riseswereashighasaround4%worldwide.GrowthwasnotedinAsiaandthePacific,but
alsoinAmerica,followedbyEurope.
TheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsdeclarestheyear2017,TheInternationalYearof
SustainableTourismforDevelopmentaimingtosupportachangeinpolicies,businesspracticesand
consumerbehaviourtowardsamoresustainabletourismsector.Despitethefactthatthephenomenon

ofeconomiccrisiswaspresent(2010-2014),tourismgrewandincreasedsignificantlyfromyearto
year.
3.1.TheeconomiccrisisinRomania
ThebasicforecastsstatethattourismandtravelinRomaniawillbringpositivegrowthoverthenext
10years.AsacommunistcountrytowhichtheUSgrantedthe“mostfavourednation”clausedueto
anti-Sovietgovernmentpolicies,Romaniawasawell-knowntouristicdestinationinWesternEurope
inthe1970s(Mazilu,M.,2011).
TheglobaleconomiccrisishasaffectedthetourismmarketinRomaniasince2008,but2010wasthe
mostaffectedyearintermsoftourism.
Theeffectsoftheeconomiccrisisontourismhavebeenstagnatingorreducingthenumberoftourists.
Travelagencieshavecomeupwithvariousofferstostayonthemarketduetothecrisisandhavealso
resisted.
Figure9.ArrivalsofforeignvisitorsinRomania
(Source:http://statistici.insse.ro/shop/)
Easily,thedemandfortourismhasstartedtoincreasesince2010yearafteryear,whichhasgradually
broughtthetourismeconomyoutoftheeconomiccrisis(Figure9).Overthefiveyears,thelargest
numberofforeigntouristscamefromEurope,followedbyAsia,theUnitedStatesandthefewestfrom
AustraliaandOceania.
Inspiteofeconomiccrises,terroristacts,etc.,mancontinuestotravelwhichbringsaboosttoworld
tourism.
4.Conclusions
Tourismandresiliencearerelevantforresearchers,studentsandpractitionersintourismandrelated
fields,suchasdevelopment,geography,sociology,anthropology,economicsand
business/managementstudies.
Despitetheworldbeingfullofmessesin2017—includinginthetravelsector—itactuallymanagedto
becomesaferoverall,yearoveryear.It'sstillbelowlevelsfromadecadeago,butimprovementcounts
forsomething.Butwhileworldpeacehasfluctuatedovertime,onefacthasremainedconstant:the
samecountryhasremainedatoptherankingsforthelastdecade.
Everyyear,theInstituteforEconomicsandPeace,withhelpfromtheEconomistIntelligenceUnit,
calculatesthetheGlobalPeaceIndex(Fig.10),whichranks163nationson"acountry’slevelof
NegativePeaceusingthreedomainsofpeacefulness."Thoseincludeongoingdomesticand
internationalconflict;levelofharmonyordiscordwithinanation;andindicatorsrelatedto
militarization.Eachdomainaccountsforahostoffactors,suchasweaponimportsandpolitical
stability,togiveeachnationthreescoresthataveragefortheoverallcomposite,accordingtothe
index'smethodology.

Fig10.Globalpeaceindexin2017
(Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index#/media/File:GPI_2017.jpg)
The2017GPIindicatesIceland,NewZealand,Portugal,Austria,andDenmarktobethemost
peacefulcountriesandSyria,Afghanistan,Iraq,SouthSudan,andYementobetheleastpeaceful.
“Itis,therefore,necessary,intermsofeconomicriskviewedfromallperspectives(atadestination,
theserviceproviderorconsumerlevel),identifyingforeachdestination/tourismformthoseelements
(e.g.,theexistenceofuniqueresourcesandthesituationofengagingindesiredactivities,etc.),the
main“assets”ofthedestination,maintainedandmanagedbyitssupporters,representing,in
consumer'sopinion,situationstodismantletheassociatedeconomicriskwhichmayaffect,regardless
ofitssource,thedirectorindirectinterests”(Mazilu,M.,2016).
References
Balaz,V.,Williams,A.M.,2013,Tourism,risktoleranceandcompetences:Travelorganizationsand
tourismhazards,TourismManagement,Volume35,p.209-221
Becken,S.,2013,Developingaframeworkforassessingresilienceoftourismsubsystemstoclimatic
factors.AnnalsofTourismResearch,43,506e528.
BirouldecoordonareaproblemelorumanitarealNațiuniiUnite(OCHA),https://www.unocha.org/
Bull,C.,1998,Thebusinessofruraltourism,inTourismManagement,Volume19,Issue3,1998
Bussines24,2013,TurismulGreciei,afectatdeincertitudinilepolitice.Catascazutin2012,[online],
Availableat:‹http://www.business24.ro/turism/stiri-turism/turismul-greciei-afectat-de-
incertitudinile-politice-cat-a-scazut-in-2012-1525549›[Accessed30June2017]
Butler,R.,2017,TourismandResilience,Glasgow,StrathclydeUniversity.
Carpenteretal.,2001,FromMetaphortoMeasurement:ResilienceofWhattoWhat?,Ecosystems,
Volume4,Issue8,p.765–781
Cocean,P.,1999,Geografiaturismului,Cluj-Napoca,„FoculViu“PublishingHouse
ConnorB.A.,Schwartz,E.,2005,Typhoidandparatyphoidfeverintravellers,inTheLancet
InfectiousDiseases,[online],Availableat:
‹https://www.academia.edu/26475019/Typhoid_and_paratyphoid_fever_in_travellers›
[Accessed23May2017]
DepartmentofState,USA,2004,PatternsofGlobalTerrorism-2003,p.13,[online],Availableat:
‹https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/31912.pdf›[Accessed03May2017]

Espiner,S.,&Becken,S.,2013,Touristtownsontheedge:conceptualizingvulnerabilityand
resilienceinaprotectedtourismsystem,JournalofSustainableTourism,volume22,Issue4:
Protectedareasandsustainabletourismplanning-preparingforglobal-localchallenges,p.
646-665
GPIMap"GlobalPeaceIndex2017".InstituteforEconomicsandPeace.Retrieved2017-06-06
Henderson,J.C.,2007,Tourismcrises:causes,consequencesandmanagement,inTheManagementof
HospitalityandTourism,EnterprisesSeries,USA,Elsiever
Holling,C.S.,1973,ResilienceandStabilityofEcologicalSystems,AnnualReviewofEcologyand
Systematics,4,p.1-23
Ianoș,I.,1994,Risculînsistemelegeografice,SCC,XLI,București,AcademyPublishingHouse
Ianoș,I.,2000,Sistemeteritoriale,oabordaregeografică,București,TehnicăPublishingHouse
Klein,R.,Welfe,A.,Welfe,W.,2003,Principiilemodelăriimacroeconometrice,București,
EconomicaPublishingHouse
Mazilu,M.,2011,Perspectivepozitivepentruturismulromânesc,inAnaleleUniversității“Constantin
Brâncuși”dinTârguJiu,SeriaEconomie,No.3/2011,p.111-120
Mazilu,M.,2012,Turismșidezvoltaredurabilă,Craiova,UniversitariaPublishingHouse
Mazilu,M.,2016,Riskandresilienceinthesustainabledevelopmentoftourism,inAnnalsofthe
UniversityofCraiova,seriesGeography,Vol.17(newseries)
Mihai,M.,Drăgan,C.,Brabete,V.,2012,Situațiifinanciareanualeșisemestriale,Craiova,Scrisul
RomânescPublishingHouse
Ogarca,R.F.,2015,AninvestigationofdecisionmakingstylesinSMEsfromSouth-WestOltenia
Region(Romania),ProcediaEconomicsandFinance,Vol.20,p.443-452
O'Sullivan,V.andHall,C.M.,1996,Tourism,Politicalinstabilityandviolence.,InA.PizamandY.
Mansfeld(eds.)Tourism,CrimeandInternationalSecurityIssues.London:JohnWiley
&SonsLtd.
OtovescuA.,MotoiG.,FrăsieM.C.,OtovescuD.,2011,Crizamondială,Bucharest,Prouniversitaria
PublishingHouse
PACSR(CorporateSocialResponsibility),WhyPACSR?,[online],Availableat:‹http://www.pa-
csr.cn/english/pa_csr.htm›[Accessed30June2017]
Patrichi,I.C.,2013,TurismulInternațional,Bucuresti,ProuniversitariaPublishingHouse
Peterson,G.,Allen,R.C.,Holling,C.S.,1998,EcologicalResilience,BiodiversityandScale,
Ecosystems,1,p.6–18
Pimm,S.L.,1984,TheComplexityandStabilityofEcosystems,Nature,p.321–326
Simion,D.,TobăD.,2015,Capitaluluman,sursăaavantajuluicompetitiv,Craiova,SITECH
PublishingHouse
Snak,O.,Baron,P.,Neacșu,N.,2003,Economiaturismului,București,ExpertPublishingHouse
Stăncioiu,F.,Mazilu,M.,2013,TouristicRiskphenomenaandprocesses,ConferenceProceedings,
Vol.II,13thInternationalMultidisciplinaryScientificGeoconference,SGEM2013,Albena,
Bugaria,p.339-347
TheMoodieDavittReport,2015,Internationaltourismrises+4.7%in2014;+3-4%growthprojected
in2015,[online],Availableat:‹https://www.moodiedavittreport.com/international-tourism-
rises-4-7-in-2014-3-4-growth-projected-in-2015/›
WEISZ,J.,2012,ManagementofCrisisinTourism,inQuaestus,[online],Availableat:
‹http://www.quaestus.ro›[Accessed30February2017]
WorldTourismOrganization(UNWTO),UNWTOWorldTourismBarometer,[online],Availableat:
‹http://mkt.unwto.org/content/unwto-world-tourism-barometer›