FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY TOURISM AND SPORT STUDY PROGRAM: GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM FORM OF EDUCATION: FREQUENCY GRADUATION PAPER SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR:… [308828]

UNIVERSITY OF ORADEA

FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY TOURISM AND SPORT

STUDY PROGRAM: GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM

FORM OF EDUCATION: FREQUENCY

GRADUATION PAPER

SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR:

LECTOR. UNIV. DR. CEZAR MORAR

GRADUATE:

BEJAN EMMA

ORADEA

2017

UNIVERSITY OF ORADEA

FACULTY OF GEOGRAPHY TOURISM AND SPORT

STUDY PROGRAM: GEOGRAPHY OF TOURISM

FORM OF EDUCATION: [anonimizat]:

LECTOR. UNIV. DR. CEZAR MORAR

GRADUATE

BEJAN EMMA

ORADEA

2017

CUPRINS

I. Presentation of the area

1.1. Position and limits

1.2. Relief

1.3. Climate

1.4. Hydrography

1.5. Vegetation and Fauna

1.6. Transportation routes

II. The methodological framework and research history

2.1. Research methodology in the study area

III. Tourism potential

3.1. Natural tourism resources

3.2. Man-made tourism resources

3.3. Main tourist routes

IV. Analysis of technical and material basis and services offer

4.1. Accommodation units

4.2. Public alimentation

4.3. The material basis for recreation

V. Types and forms of tourism

5.1. Types of tourism practiced in the study area

5.2. Forms of tourism practiced in the study area

VI. Conclusions and suggestions

6.1. Development of a sustainable tourism

6.2. Swot analysis

6.3. Conclusions and proposals regarding the improvement and tourism development in the study area

Introduction:

,,Our country has a remarkable tourist vocation” (Minciu R. Ispaș Ana, 1994). [anonimizat] a [anonimizat] a potential spas of the earth. [anonimizat], [anonimizat], do not have enjoyed a long time deserved attention.

[anonimizat], to a [anonimizat]. As a result, researchers distinguished several types of tourist villages: ethnographic – [anonimizat], [anonimizat], itineraries – fruit-growing s.o.

[anonimizat]. [anonimizat], in view of the establishment of strategies for future development.

[anonimizat]-[anonimizat].

[anonimizat], [anonimizat], [anonimizat]-Arieșeni one of the most attractive tourist regions of our country.

In the study area agrotourism is frequently practiced. It is a [anonimizat], where the tourist can live and felt in the sweet style traditional Moldavian.

The area of the Țara Moților is a region with deep impact in the history of our nation, a land which has imposed from the beginning of its existence by the beauty and the wealth of the places, by hardworking and skilled people, through the originality and specificity of the spiritual creation and by maintaining unaltered the eating habits and traditions.

Arieșeni commune is less well known from a historic point of view. It was certified for the first time in the year 1909 with the name of the Lapuș initially part from the common Big River. Until 1924, the greater part of the Arieșeni commune, together with Garda de Sus and Scărișoara formed one commune bearing the name of Scărișoara, and where the name "Glacier from Scărișoara", that karstic formation being in fact in the administrative territory of Gârda de Sus.

Villages on the right side of the Aries River were part of the Neagră commune. Its development is due, like in other cases in the first row of migration of the population from the lower areas to free places in search of the mountain pastures.

The basis occupations are those relating to the exploitation and wood processing, stock farming and tourism.

The holiday village Vârtop and Arieșeni commune are placed in the S-E of Bihor, overlaps over the E Beiușului depression and the W of the Bihor Mountains (figure 1). The total surface area of the territory of the Arieșeni commune is 6310 square kilometers, and has a population of 1711 inhabitants (INSSE), on the down as compared to the 1765 at the census date 2011 (figure 2).

Bihor County is seated in the N-W of Romania at the border with Hungary, has a surface of 7544 square kilometers, taking up the sixth place between the counties of the country. The population is above 600 000 inhabitants with a density of 73 people/square kilometers taking up the eleventh place, among the counties of Romania.

The western limit of the county constitutes the Hungarian border of 150 km, on which are located control points for crossing the border to: Valea lui Mihai, Bors, Episcopia Bihor and Salonta. The position, nearby Hungary, and the historical interethnic links make the Bihor County, one of the most important gates in western Romania what increases the geopolitical importance.

Figure 1. Location Vârtop and Arieșeni commune.

Figure 2. Decrease of population number since 1990 in Arieșeni commune

Data source: National Institute of Statistics

1.1 Position and limits

Arieșeni commune is in administrative terms, in the north east of Alba County and holiday village Vârtop is on the boundary of two counties Alba and Bihor.

From geographical point of view Arieseni is located in the Apuseni Mountains, more exactly in the saddle Vartop (1160 m). The area shown is bounded by three mountain units: Aries Mountains in the south and Batrana Mountains and Biharia Mountains in the north.

Both Arieseni and the vacation village Vartop are located on the national highway 75 (DN 75), on the left bank of the river Aries. Access is allowed from multiple directions, the study area is at distances approximately equal to the main cities of the North-Western Region of Romania: Oradea (130 km), Cluj-Napoca (141 km), Alba-Iulia (120 km), Deva (133 km), Arad (182 km).

Arieseni common has an area of 6.310 square kilometres and a population of 1765 (according to the census in 2011) distributed in 18 villages: Arieseni (residence), Avramesti, Bubesti, Casa de Piatra, Cobles, Dealu Bajului, Fata Cristesei, Fata Lapusului, Galbena, Hodobana, Izlaz, Pantesti, Patrahaitesti, Poienita, Ravicesti, Sturu, Stei-Arieseni and Vanvucesti. The nearest villages of the center of the commune Arieseni are Stei-Arieșeni, Pantesti and Avramesti and the most distant is Casa de Piatra.

1.2. Relief

Relief is heavily influenced by the river Arieșul Mare who has modeled on the left bank a series of gentle peaks, plateaus and deep valleys that form the powerful slopes with many forms of endo and exokarst (Gozner Maria, 2011).

The area between the Bihor and Muntele Mare is composed of limestone rocks and mezozoics cameo in which they have published a series of peaks groups contained in the karstic complex Ocoalele-Scarisoara with caves: Ghețarul de la Scărișoara, Pojarul Poliței, Poarta lui Ionel, Peștera de sub Zgurăști, Coiba Mare si Coiba Mică.There are also other specific formations for karstic areas and the keys, from which reminding those of Ordancusei, potholes, as well as the Avenul din Seșuri și Avenul din Tău, sinkholes and springs(Gh Anghel, Gh Mahara, Emilia Anghel, 1982).

Bihor Mountains are making up the main chain of the Apuseni Mountains and enter the territory of the Alba county through its eastern mountainsides respectively Biharia-Gaina summit. The whole area is characterised by a high lithological and structural complexity because of the presence of crystalline rocks, sedimentation and eruptive rocks or other eruptive emergences..

„The average altitude in the Apuseni Mountains are 1000 meters” (Petrea Rodica, 2004). The highest peaks do not exceed 2000 m, the highest peak being Bihorul or Cucurbata Mare (1849) (figure 3).

„Gorges, slopes, caves, avens, springs with intermittent flow, waterfalls, ravines and other elements less important such as lapiazes and dolines, contribute to the beauty of these mountains „(Anghel Gh. and colab., 1982; Cocean P., 2000)

Figure 3. Bihorul Peak or Cucurbata Mare

1.3. Climate

The Apuseni Mountains constitute a barrier against the climate in the horizontal movement of the influences of western circulation, which brings the mases of wet air, the circulation of the southern and south-west that brings the mases of warm air. The climate in the commune of Arieseni is mountanious, cold and wet on high altitudes and alternating toward the base of the mountains.

All measurements are conclusive only in the case of high mountain areas where are located the meteorological platforms. Active heterogenous area and certain mountainside exposure, the degree of inclination of the slopes and fragmentation introduces a number of topoclimate with their own features.

,,In the framework of the Bihor Mountains Vladeasa Mountain and the values of the annual average of the temperature of the air has a vertical zonality” (Ovidiu Gaceu, 2005), which means that temperatures fall along with the increase in altitude. If in the areas as well as the depressionary area Stei 9.8 C, Campeni 7,3 C the temperatures of the annual average are pads, toward the mountain peak annual average temperature barely exceeds the threshold of frost namely Vladeasa Mountain 1 C at 1800 m.

Due to the presence of the wet air mases from the ocean which enter through the Eastern golf-depressions precipitation values increase, resulting in a thick layer of snow, that last over 200 days per year at altitudes above 1500 m. „The ski area is located between the 900-1600m, where the average thickness of a layer of snow exceeds 30 cm and in the mountains higher altitudes more than 80m cm „(Petrea Rodica, 2004).

The most favorable climatic potential in the Apuseni Mountains for winter sports practicing is hold by Bihor Mountains (5 place on the country), follow the mountains Vladeasa Mountain-Muntele Mare (8 place) grading according to the studies ITC 1994/1995, quoted by Stremtan, F., 1998 (Petre Rodica, 2004).

Figure 4. View from the Bihorul Mountain

1.4. Hidrographical network

The hidrographical network with all its forms – surface water springs, groundwater, lakes, rivers and brooks – by the special features of the quantitative and qualitative, can be easily appointed for tourism and agrotourism. Extremely valuable remain the categories of mineral waters with shares in therapy.

The main river that crosses the Arieseni commune is Arieșul (figure 2). It drains a large part of the Apuseni Mountains in the west-east direction. The White River and the Cobliș brook gather the waters from the Bihor massif, after which they meet in the area of ​​the Arieșeni commune, where downstream is called Arieșul Mare.

On the right bank of the Arieș River there are valleys and waterfalls with great tourist potential such as Vârciorog Valley and the waterfall of the same name, Valea Galbena, Valea Cepelor, Bucinișul and Iarba Rea.

On the left, in the right of the commune of Gârda de Sus, Arieșul Mare unites with the waters of the Gârda Seacă Valley united with Ordîncușa. Among them is the closed basin of the Ocoalele-Scărișoara basin with underground drainage. The underground waters form the karst in the area between Bihor and Muntele Mare create specific forms that are objectives of tourist interest.

Figure 5. Ariesul Mare River

1.5. Vegetation and fauna

Vegetation:

The vegetation is vertically arranged on altitude levels. Characteristic are the inversions of vegetation, namely in the shady valleys the coniferous forests appear, above them on the sunny slopes and on the interfluves the deciduous forests appear.

The deciduous forests consist mainly of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), maple (Acer platanoides), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), lime (Tilia Cordata), wild cherry (Cerasus avium). At the upper limit the beads mingle with fir and spruce, and at the bottom with the oak (Quercus petraea).

The beagles present in the Bihor Mountains are dominated by the presence of beech (Fagus silvatica), mixed with platan (Acer pseudoplatanus), birch (Betula Verrucosa) and various shrubs predominantly in the marginal or poienous areas: Corylus avellana, Cornus mas, Sorbus aucuparia.

Coniferous forests are located at about 1400 m altitude in the Bihor-Vlădeasa Mountains. Between 1400 and 1600 m altitude are mixed with the hardwoods and are formed mainly of spruce (Picea excelsea). At higher altitudes, the trees (Abies alba) and the larix (Larix decidua). From place to place there is also yew (Taxus baccata) or mountain maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) (Anghel G.,Mahar G., Emilia Anghel, 1982).

Fountains are found on high plateaus situated between 800-1000 where there are numerous grassy species with flowers such as: daisies, rooster legs, bells, patlatina, panseluti, bulbucii (plant protected by law) s.a.

Also very important are berries, raspberries, blackberries, blackberries, horns, or different mushrooms and sponges.

Figure 6. Galanthus and Crocus

Figure 7. View over the Vartop Village from Vartop I Slope

Fauna:

In the area of ​​the coniferous forests lies the habitat of the brown bear, jder, carpathian deer and many bird species such as: Nucifraga caryocatactes, hucus (Dryocopus martinus).

The deciduous forests are populated by wild boar, fox, rabbit, roe deer, wild cat, deer, all of which make up a rich hunting ground.

Mountain waters are populated with salmonids: indigenous trout (Salmo truta fario), rainbow trout (Salmo irideus).

1.6. Access ways

The access to Arieseni commune is made on the national road DN 75. You can reach the area by taking the bus from Beius to Campeni. There are two races per day at 6:00 in the morning and at 11:00 in the morning each day of the week.

If you want to travel by train to Alba County at the Arieseni-Vartop Paths, you must know that it is crossed south by the 200 bus which connects Brasov and Arad County and is part of the European IV Corridor, Coșlariu and Șibot. Alba county is also crossed by bus 300, Bucharest – Brașov – Blaj – Războieni – Cluj – Oradea, but also by Războieni – Târgu Mureș – Deda and Alba Iulia – Zlatna railway.

In the skiing and snowboarding season, the Oradea – Arieșeni Vârtop – Oradea transport is made every Saturday and Sunday with a minibus of 8 + 1 seats, 50 lei / person.

Departure to Arieseni-Vartop is made from Oradea, parking at Black Eagle at 8.00 in the morning. Arrival is in front of the Arieșeni-Vârtop ski slope. From the same place you can go to Oradea, from Arieșeni-Vârtop, at 17:00.

For organized groups there is availability during the week. The carriage is based on reservation.

II. The methodological framework and research history

2.1. Research methodology in the study area

The process of elaboration of this license work included the following steps:

The pre-planning stage included consultation of existing documents for the collection of significant historical, situational history data. In order to understand the factors responsible for building the future of the community, documents were presented which presented the past of the city and were relevant in the elaboration of the paper. Strategic Plan for Sustainable Development of the Nucet City 2014-2020, demographic data contained in the Population Census 2011 documents, present statistical socio-economic data at the National Institute of Statistics, Tourism Development and Ski Area Arieșeni, Alba County.

Studying the sources of information and the bibliography necessary for the elaboration of the strategy.

In the realization of the paper we used the specialized bibliography, personal observations, preliminary field research was made. The main methods used were: the method of analysis, the method of synthesis, the historical method.

Elaboration of the SWOT Analysis on areas of interest of Vârtop-Arieșeni.

Field Stage to achieve an overview of the heritage and its qualitative status.

Writing the actual study.

III. Tourist potential

Natural resources are the primary offer of any form of tourism, being composed of natural landscape components, which are potential tourism resources and play a determining role in tourism development.

The main attractions of this area are: summer days that offer tourists good hiking conditions, where they can visit particularly beautiful places, especially the Padis carst, which offers unforgettable moments. During clear sky and good visibility days, great pictures can be taken. The winter season offers conditions to the winter sports practitioners, the skiing area bringing snow lovers from Alba, Bihor, Cluj, Hunedoara and foreign tourists from Hungary.

The picturesque, unpolluted nature, with a strong ozonated air, the north-facing ski slope, sloping sunny slopes and sunny slopes less inclined than the northern ones, favorable to the construction of the accommodation and public catering facilities, complete the potential of this settlement insufficiently exploited

3.1. Natural tourism resources:

The Ruginoasă Pit (figure 8) (Cocean, 2000)

is a huge ravine over 600 meters in diameter and 100 meters deep, with rusty walls.

it was formed by the highly active torrential erosion of quartz deposits, frescos and red clays;

The Karstic Complex "Ocoalele-Scărișoara" with the caves: The Glacier from Scărișoara, Pojarul Poliței, Poarta lui Ionel, Peștera de sub Zgurăști, Coiba Mare și Coiba Mică;

The Bihorul Peak

is the highest peak in the Apuseni Mountains, with an altitude of 1849 meters;

due to this fact, a television and telecom relay was placed here;

the peak is worth visiting because you have a spectacular view over the Apuseni Mountains, the Aries Valley in Alba County and in Bihor County – on clear days – you can see up to Ștei (formerly Petru Groza) 40 kilometers away.

Cucurbata Mică Peak (Ielennicz M., Oprea R., 2011)

has 1769 meters altitude being one of the highest peaks in the Apuseni Mountains – The name of the Little Curcubata comes from its shape, which looks like a pumpkin, in the Tara Moților the pumpkins calls it “cucurbată

On this peak is a rock on which you can see the Arieșeni communes, Garda de Sus, Avram Iancu;

Galbenei Keys ( figure 9) (Cocean, 2000)

one of the wildest keys in Romania

in Galbena's keys there are numerous ramps and cascades due to rough terrain, the most impressive of which is the Evantai Falls about 7 meters high

there are 2 belvedere points suspended at about 200 meters above the valley line touring facilities: Steel cables and support chains

high difficulty route recommended for tourists with good experience and good physical condition. It is not recommended to go on in bad weather and during the flood;

Ordâncușii Keys (Indries A,2015)

located in the village of Garda de Sus, 1.5 km from the center of the commune

one of the narrowest rocks in Romania (sometimes 4-6 m wide)

have a length of 4 km

scenic natural landscape

in the limestone walls there are 70 caves, grottos, portals of which the Gate of Ionele Cave and the cave below Zgurăști are declared as speleological reserves and integrated into this reservation;

Gârdișoarei Keys;

Focul Viu Glacier (Indries A., 2015)

is located in Bihor Mountains, Bihor county; on the top that separates the Bârsa Pit from the Galbena Valley basin to the south.

the entrance is small and is found at the base of a rock wall

consists of 2 halls

The Great Hall is 68 meters long and 46 meters tall and shelters a fossil ice block, it is illuminated from above by a giant open

is the third largest glacier in Romania, after the Scărișoara Glacier and the Borțig River, with a volume of 25000 cubic meters of ice

the ice is kept in the cave due to the fact that the ceiling is open and permits the cold air inside and the cave is devoid of ventilation so it keeps cold air during the year

the cave is partially arranged and is relatively easy to visit – In the old tourist descriptions the cave was named the Eschimoșilos Cave

Sighiștel Valley (high density of karst formations);

Patrahăițești Waterfall (figure 10) (Cocean, 2000)

the waterfall is an impressive 14 meters high waterfall in 2 steps. With a little attention you can climb the first stage of the waterfall.

the markings from Arieșeni to the Patrahăițești Museum and then to the Buciniș Falls are red.

this is also known as the Buciniș Falls – since the name of the river on which it is formed,

Vârciorog Waterfall (15 meters high waterfall) (figure 11) (Cocean, 2000)

the route to the waterfall is relatively easy without significant climbs and downs. You can reach the waterfall even in winter if the snow is not very high.

the favorable period for visiting it is spring when the flow of the Vârciorog River is high as a result of the melting of snow, and the meadows near the forest road are adorned with snowdrifts, bells and especially brand

during the summer and early autumn, Vârciorog Waterfall is the most visited by tourists. Also during this period near the waterfall you will find blueberries, raspberries and blackberries.

Tăuz Spring (figure 12) (http://www.arieseni.pro/9-arieseni-obiective-turistice/77-izbucul-tauzului)

is located near the stone house Piatra – Arieseni, not far from the road leading to the Stone House; there is an indicator on a current pole

natural reserve from Apuseni Natural Park

has a depth of -87 meters, being considered the deepest flooded cavity explored in Romania

water from the Tauz Spring is always clear, even after rainy days, and much colder than the water in Garda Seaca Valley;

Călineasa Meadow (figure 13);

Piatra Grăitoare Plateau

is an area with a rock named so because of the echo that produces the south-east of its walls

when the weather is quiet, a cry near it (25-100 m) is repeated 4-5 times

near this peak there is a small "village" of mutations – people,

Figure 8. The Ruginoasă Pit

Figure 9. Galbena Valley

Figure 10. Patrahăițești Waterfall

Figure 11. Vârciorog Waterfall

Figure 12. Tăuz Spring

Figure 13. Călineasa Meadow

3.2. Man made turism resources:

3 ski slopes

The rink

Four seasons club

Slip & slide

Turistic and agroturistic guesthouses

Avram Iancu Memorial House

the house is located in the village of Incesti, at the entrance to Avram Iancu commune, coming from the town of Campeni;

is a traditional house – built in 1801 – with the roof tugged and finished with 4 semicircular arcades. It includes personal objects of Avram Iancu – the ruler of the 1848-1849 revolution, the cannon, swords, flukes and weapons of Iancu;

the history exhibition keeps the scholarly certificates of Avram Iancu, documents related to the preparation and unfolding of the revolt, the testament of Iancu;

the ethnographic exhibition includes: motesc port, area specific vessels, tools for making beaters, tulle or donites.

Înălțarea Domnului Arieșeni Church

the Inaltarea Domnului Church of Arieseni was built between 1791 and 1829;

the church is entirely made of wood, in the shape and style of the Maramures churches;

the painting was applied directly to the wood by the painter Mihai of Abrud and was completed in 1829;

the first bell of the church was brought from the United States of America being bought and brought by the men established there;

one of the valuable pieces of the church is the cross on the table of the holy altar, donated by the generous Corches generals of Avram Iancu army.

Patrahaitești Museum

located in Arieseni commune, Patrahaitesti village;

can be reached by car to the museum;

it includes objects used by woodworking craftsmen;

exhibition of wooden handicraft items: tulle, donites, buckets, whistles, glasses.

Arieșeni Museum

Figure 14. Vartop I and II ski slopes

Figure 15. Slip’n Slide

Assessment of the tourist area (classification made by The Ministry of Tourism)

The assessment of the following elements:

Natural tourism potential

Cultural tourism potential

Tourism specific infrastructure

Technical infrastructure

Based on the bellow criteria, for the assessment of the tourism potential of the territorial administrative units, a score from 1 to 100 will be given (1 being the minimum and 100 maximum given – exceptional tourism potential).

A.CATEGORY – NATURAL TOURISM POTENTIAL

The natural framework

Natural therapeutic factors

Natural protected areas

B. CATEGORY – CULTURAL TOURISM POTENTIAL

C. CATEGORY – TOURISM SPECIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE

D. CATEGORY – TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Total 73 points out of 100, that means that the study area have a great touristic potential and can be improved with well done investements.

3.3. Touristic Routes

Avram Iancu – Patrahaitești – Arieșeni

Mark: without mark

Lasting: 4-5h

Distance: 13 km

Level difference: 300 m

Objective: Patrahaitesti Village

Găina Mountain- Piatra Aradului – Curcubata Mare – Arieșeni

Mark: without mark

Lasting: 6-7h

Distantance: 18 km

Level difference: 500 m

Objective: Bihorului Ridge

Poiana Village – Șaua Tărnița Bihorului – Arieșeni

Mark: without mark

Lasting: 5-6h

Distantance: 10 km

Level difference: 900m

Objective: Bihorului Ridge

Route 28

Pietroasa- Galbenă Valley – Cantonul Luncșoara – Cobleș – Arieșeni

Mark: yellow triangle

Lasting: 7-8h

Distance: 28 km

Level difference (descending): 200m

Level difference (climbing): 750m

Objectives: Varseci Cave, Jgheabului Keys, Galbenei Keys

Route 38

Padiș – Poiana Florilor –Galbenă Valley – Groapa Ruginoasă – Șaua Vârtop

Mark: red stripe

Lasting: 7-8 ore

Distance: 18 km

Level difference (descending): 600m

Lvel difference (climbing): 700m

Objectives: Focul Viu Cave, Valea Seacă (unmarked), Groapa Ruginoasă

Route 39

Padiș – Poiana Ponor – Cabana Caput – Cobleș – Arieșeni

Mark: red triangle

Lasting: 5 ore

Distance: 16.5 km

Level difference (descending): 250m+400m

Level difference (climbing): 300m

Objective: Cetățile Ponorului, Caput Cave

Route 40

Padiș – Poiana Călineasa – Poiana Ursoii – Ghețarul de la Scărișoara

Mark: blue stripe

Lasting: 5h30min

Distance: 19 km

Level difference (descending): 300m

Level difference (climbing):100m

Objective: Avenul din Bătrâna, Ocoale Village, Ghețarul de la Scărișoara

Route 45

Pasul/Cantonul Ursoaia – Poiana Ursoiii – Ghețarul de la Scărișoara

Mark: red triangle

Lasting: 3h30min

Distance: 14.5 km

Level difference (descending): 200m

Objective: Ocoale Village, Ghețarul de la Scărișoara

Route 46

Padiș – Casa de Piatră – Garda Seacă (Totoiești)

Mark: blue triangle

Lasting: 4 h

Distance: 15 km

Level difference (descending): 500m

Level difference (climbing): 100m

Objective: Șura Mare, Coiba Mare, Coiba Mică, Ghețarul de la Vârtop, Casa de Piatră Village, Tăuz Spring

Route 47

Garda Seacă (Totoiești) – Pantești – Arieșeni

Mark: red triangle

Lasting: 1h45min

Distance: 7 km

Level difference (descending): 350m

Level difference (climbing): 300m

Objective: panorama of Pantești Village

Route 49

Baița commune – Șaua Vârtop – Arieșeni

Mark: red triangle

Lasting: 5h30min

Distance: 20 km

Level difference (descending): 250m

Level difference (climbimg): 600m

Objective: Porțile Bihorului Cave

Figure 16. Turistic routes in Țara Moților

Source: http://www.casamotului.ro/contact-cazare-pensiunea-casa-motului-in-arieseni-apuseni/

IV. Analysis of technical and material basis and services offer

4.1. Accommodation units

In Vârtop Holiday Village we can find 84 guesthouses and 16 accommodation units with a legal role.

In 2016 were 24 accommodations units in Arieșeni, from which 2 are touristic villas, 3 are touristic chalets, 1 school and pre-school camp, and 18 agroturistic boarding houses. They have in total a tourist capacity of 681 beds. In 2016 were registered 25214 staying overnight.

The most famous of them are:

Hotel Four Seasons

Cabana Art

Hotel Cristalin;

Pensiunea Skipass;

Cabana Vârtop;

Cabana Ada;

Pensiunea Codruța;

Vila Diana;

Casa de vacanță Trei Brazi;

Cabana Yeti;

Pensiunea Maria;

Pensiunea Rock;

Vila Floare de Colt;

Pensiunea Bianca;

Cabana Lidia;

Pensiunea Marieta;

Pensiunea Casa Verde;

Casa de vacanță Daiana;

Cabana Unchiului Tom;

Vila Daria;

Figure16. View over some accommodation units in Vârtop

4.2. Public alimentation

In the Vârtop- Arieșeni area it can be considered that most of the accommodation units have a restaurant on the ground floor. Serving food is mainly Romanian, but there are also Hungarian or Italian dishes.

During winter, near the ski slopes, it opens stands with fast-foods and mulled wine.

Figure 17. Casa Moțului Restaurant

4.3. The material basis for recreation

Material basis for summer activities:

Via ferrata

Tiroliana

Karts, scooters

Slip & Slide

Material basis for winter activities:

3 ski slopes

rent units with convenient prices (figure 18.)

Snowmobiles or ATV for rent

rink

horses for sledding or riding

4 season club

restaurants

Figure 18. Rent prices

Source: http://ski-si-snowboard.ro

The safety of skiers and snowboarders is monitored with the help of 8 cameras, and the slopes are also equipped with sound system throughout their length.

There are also teams of the Gendarmerie present and the Rescue Service at the base of the slope. A heliport is mounted at the top of Vârtop I Slope (a special land set as a small airport, used for the take-off and landing of helicopters).

Piatra Grăitoare ski slope:

Ticket price:

Adults:7lei in week-end / 6 lei Monday-Thursday

Children (<14 years old): 4 lei

Chairlift details:

Transport capacity: 1400 persons/h

Slope details:

Night light

Total length: 1830m

Last climb: 19:50

Difficulty level: medium
Length: 1340m

Difficulty level: hard

Length: 540m

Exposition: N-V

Level difference: 540m

Vârtop I:

Ticket price:

Adults: 5 lei

Children (<14 ): 3 lei

Lift details:

Length: 780m

Transport capacity: 800 persons/h

Speed: 2,5 m/s

Departure altitude: 1160

Arrival altitude: 1400m

Monitorized by 8 video cameras

Slope details:

Ski area: 80.000mp

Exposition: N-V

Level difference: 240m

Length: 1000m

Vârtop II:

Ticket price:

Acces: skypass

1-10 climbs -3 lei/ adult/climb

1-10 climbs – 2 lei/ children/climb

Lift details:

Capacity: 630 persons/h

Speed: 2,5 m / s

Snow cannon

Slope details:

Difficulty degree: mediu

Lenght: 430 m

Level difference: 109

Departure altitude: 1150

Arrival altitude: 1041

Program:

Monday-Thursday – 10.00 a.m-5.00 p.m

Friday -Sunday – 10.00 a.m -8.00 p.m

V. Types and forms of tourism

5.1. Types

Rural tourism is an alternative to traditional, traditional tourism in resorts and tourist centers as well as to the "standard" tourist offer – industrial type.

In relation to agriculture, which remains the principal activity of the village, the rural tourism constitutes an additional activity and not an alternative or a substitution of it (4).

In the specific conditions under which Romania's transition to the market economy, the rural tourism meets and an important function of social protection, offering the population of low income the possibility to achieve some rest, enjoying their free time in the picturesque landscape of the rural environment of the mountainous area

There are plenty of arguments that support the development of the rural tourism, consisting in the immediate effects or long-term, of an economic nature, social, cultural etc. induced by the rational organization of the spaces rural areas.

romantic image, the purity and ancient of the Romanian village;

rest, cure of air and of fruit, the consumption of fresh food and occupational therapy;

return to the nature, motivation valid for all categories of age, sex, socio-professional, social status

curiosity, satisfied by information on the hospitality of the popular gastronomic habits, crafts and rural traditions. At the same time by initiation into the crafts and occupations local traditional, tourists can manifest their full creative skills personal, emerging from the monotony and the routine of the daily activities;

aesthetic reasons born from the need for the beautiful, order, purity, harmony and naturalness;

the sports, hunting, fishing, sporty and who lanes, who acquire a note genuine, leaving the place sufficiently initiative, imagination and individual inclinations.

5.2. Forms of tourism:

tourism for practicing winter sports for which there are special conditions. For winter stays, the existing possibilities for the development of new ski slopes, varying in length and degree of difficulty, can be remarked from the technical point of view to the requirements of the great performances.

transit tourism – the locality can be a stopping point for tourists in transit on DN 75 or visiting tourist circuits of the studied area; It is the form of tourism practiced by all categories of tourists crossing the territory in transit. They can also be determined to visit the objects in the area in the desire to get to know the local attractions.

tourism for recreation and recreation, favored by the pleasant natural landscape, favorable ecological conditions, characterized by the special air and water purity, lack of sources of pollution of any kind, altitude conditions of 1000 m, high enough to ensure pleasant summer temperatures and environments rich in tourist attractions, especially natural;

rural tourism because it has practical conditions and even started shy to practice, the occupancy rate of the accommodation being much higher in the white season.

speleology – It is practiced by the category of tourists who want to visit and know the caves and karst phenomena in the area. This form of tourism must be practiced with great caution in order not to damage the microclimate of the caves.

Of great importance are the speleological reserves: the Arieseni commune (Alba

county) – the Vartop glacier, the Avenul din Hoanca Urzicarului, Coiba Mica, Coiba Mare, Gura Apei Cave, Huda Orbului, Hodobana Cave, Izbucul cu doua intrari, Izbucul Taz.

hiking – is also a form of tourism specific to the studied territory.

,,weekend tourism – As the majority of tourists come to visit the area during the weekend and for mini-holidays, special attention should be paid to this market segment through advertising and information campaigns” (Gozner Maria, 2011).

VI. Conclusions and suggestions

6.1. Development of a sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism development guidelines and management practices are applicable to all forms of tourism in all types of destinations, including mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainability principles refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development, and a suitable balance must be established between these three dimensions to guarantee its long-term sustainability.

Inevitably, the useful effects of sustained tourism activity are multidimensional. Thus, the economic efficiency of tourism and agritourism is associated with the social efficiency resulting from:

ensuring the conditions for the rehabilitation of the work capacity;

usefull and enjoyable leisure time;

raising the level of general culture and professional training;

diversification of services;

achieving mental, intellectual or spiritual motivations (needs).

Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.

6.3. Swot analysis:

Infrastructure:

Tourism:

6.4. Conclusions and proposals regarding the improvement and tourism development in the study area

“The main problem of the Romanian tourism in the next period including rural tourism is the quality of the tourism product looked, under the aspect of the tourist services, without which any tourist heritage, however would be valuable, and may not be exploited effectively” (Erdeli G. Gheorghilaș A., 2006).

,, Countries of the European Union carry out the promotion of rural tourism by traditional and certain means” (Glavan V., 2000):

all supports for sale (guide, brochure, cot, the catalog);

advertising objects;

presence at the rose in the tourism;

mailing;

use the average (TV, publications, radio, etc.)

The promotion of tourist and agrotouristic activity in Bihor County, as well as of the tourist and agro-tourist product, occupies a special place within the management and tourism marketing and agrotourism marketing, being an extremely complex and important component in the development of tourism and agrotourism, component that should be present at all levels.

At the level of peasant farms, if there are financial possibilities, it is good for each of them to have their own guide or leaflet presenting both that household and the surroundings with all the areas of attraction. In this advertising material will be briefly presented the village (commune) to which the household belongs

In case a peasant household does not have enough financial resources to draw up such material, it will draw up a sheet that, accompanied by a suggestive graphic presentation, will be included in a wider promotional material at the level of the area, county etc.

At regional level, a wider material will be created, which will capture several characteristic elements of the ensemble (e.g. tourism and agrotourism in Western Carpathians).

Finally, a tourist and agrotouristic guide will be conceived at national level to guide a potential tourist. At this level, the information provided will be general, and the details will be provided by specialized agencies through their workers. This guide will include the list of agencies with their addresses and telephone numbers.

Like any economic activity, tourism and agro-tourism are a combination of the negative and positive elements that must be estimated and guided in the way the providers want it.

Among these economic and social effects, we can list the following:

a) favorable economic and social effects of the development of tourism and agrotourism in Bihor County:

– development of activities in the sphere of small production and services;

– new jobs in the area;

– leaving young people in the villages and, at the same time, rejuvenating the villages;

– introduction of utilities (water supply, sewerage, purification systems, telephony, etc.).

b) unfavorable economic and social effects of tourism and agrotourism development in Apuseni mountains

– degradation of the landscape and the environment;

– pollution in all its forms (physical, chemical, sound, etc.);

– Changes in local daily habits.

The development of tourism and agrotourism in Bihor County will also lead to an economic development of all the regions of the county, due to the multiplier effect of these activities.

There will also be positive influences on agriculture, transport, construction, processing and food industries, services in various fields, s.o.

The possibilities for optimization of tourist activity in Arieșeni resort can be achieved through sustained actions regarding:

consolidation and diversification of the tourist offer of the resort;

development and modernization of the tourist and agrotouristic infrastructure, as well as of the social (public) infrastructure;

promotion and publicity of Arieșeni resort in various ways, both nationally and internationally;

ways of improving the quality of tourist services, whether basic services (accommodation, meals, recreation, transport) or auxiliary (additional) services.

Diversifying tourist and agro-tourism offers and intensifying souvenir trade will have positive effects on craft and craft development. At the same time, influences will be made to value traditions and folk customs, as well as to diversify cultural and educational activities.

The development of tourism and agrotourism activities in Vârtop-Arieșeni area will contribute to the establishment of young people in the villages' winds, to their motivation and especially to the feminine population to participate in such activities.

At the same time, new jobs will be created in the sphere of production, distribution and branches related to tourist services and will increase the number of persons employed and involved in the tourism and agro-tourism activity.

The social efficiency of tourism and agrotourism is in fact the contribution of the tourist and agrotouristic material base in engaging a greater number of individuals in practicing these activities.

In conclusion, it can be stated that:

Tourism and agrotourism contribute to recreation, restoration and reconfiguration, enriching knowledge and blooming human personality, while at the same time achieving a climate of peace and understanding among peoples.

Vârtop-Arieșeni area has great opportunities to develop tourism and agrotourism, their practice being not only possible, but also very necessary in the current stage.

The realized money revenues will lead to raising the level of civilization of the county, and its inhabitants, through special hospitality, could attract more and more tourists, both from the country and from abroad.

The study area has developed all the elements of tourism potential, natural and anthropic, so that it can constitute a renowned tourist destination in the national and international mountain tourism.

The sustained exploitation of the natural tourism and agro-tourism resources of the study area must be continuously stimulated, giving new development to tourism and agrotourism, as well as a new social, political and economic framework.

References:

Minciu R. Ispaș Ana, "Economia turismului", Universitatea Transilvania Brașov, 1994, pag. 53.

Erdeli G. Gheorghilaș A., “Amenajări turistice”, Editura Universitară, București, 2006, pag. 156.

Anghel G.,Mahar G., Emilia Anghel, “Ghid turistic al județului Alba”, Editura Sport-Turism, București, 1982

Cocean, P., “Munții Apuseni. Procese și fenomene carstice”, Editura Academiei, București;

Ovidiu Gaceu, “Clima și riscurile climatice in Munții Bihor și Vlădeasa”, Oradea, 2005

Minciu R.   Ispaș Ana,   "Economia turismului", Universitatea Transilvania  Brașov, 1994 ;

Andrei C., Indrieș, Andrei A. Indrieș “Platoul Carstic Padiș“, Editura Primus, Oradea, 2015

Ielencz Mihai, Oprea Razvan,“Romania.Carpații vol. V, Caracteristici generale (partea I) “, Editura Universală București, 2011

“Making Tourism More Sustainable – A Guide for Policy Makers”, UNEP and UNWTO, 2005;

Glavan V.,  “Turismul in Romania”, Editura Economica, Bucuresti, 2000;

Gozner Maria, “Studiu de amenajare turistică a sistemului teritorial Albac-Arieșeni”, Oradea,2011

Aurel Chiran, Elena Gîndu, George Ungureanu, Anca Dudaș, “Aspects concerning the tourism and agrotourism potential in Vârtop-Arieșeni area”, 2011

Strategia de dezvoltare durabilă a orașului Nucet județul Bihor, 2014-2020

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