ASSESSMENT AND HIERARCHY OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE FEATURES OF INTEREST FOR TOURISTS IN RURAL DESTINATIONS

Abstract

Rural tourism in Romania is a sector with great potential for development, and all stakeholders, from tourists to authorities and investors in this field, are directing their attention toward it. However, an analysis of the number of tourists in rural destinations reveals that not all sites have the same level of attraction among tourists. Factors such as infrastructure and the quality of the services offered are crucial elements that can influence tourists’ decisions regarding one destination over another. As the natural environment is also a critical factor to be considered in rural tourism, we included it in our study. The study involved a survey conducted in Romania and Italy in January and February 2023. The results underscore the importance of terrain and vegetation in influencing tourists’ choices for spending their holidays in a rural destination. The built environment also holds interest for tourists, which can benefit authorities and investors in enhancing the overall tourism product.