Author: Carmen Chașovschi (Suceava University) Presentation for Topic 2: Multi-Stakeholder Approaches to Developing Ecotourism Destinations 2nd European Ecotourism Conference 23-25 October 2013, Romania

1. Cultural landscape and the
sustainable development of ecodestinations
Carmen Chaşovschi
University Stefan cel Mare
Suceava, AER
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23 octombrie 2013

2. Day by day experience…
• Destination management in participatory approach
• Development of destination management organizations
in Romania in several areas
• Cooperation with Eco-tourism Association Romania and
other national or international NGOs
• Expert and volunteer in projects related to cultural
landscape or tourism destination
• Cooperation with Heritas Sibiu for brochures in Cultural
Landscape Conservation; in work Cultural Landscape of
Bucovina.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

3. On going actions …
• Launch in 2011 of the
campaign “Save the
Bucovina Village. Adopt a
House”
• Inventory of 420 traditional
houses in Bucovina, with
interviews of house owners
• Fund raising
• Research among the tourists
concerning the cultural
landscape
• The web page
www.satele-bucovinei.ro
• Promotion materials related
to cultural landscape
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

4. Goals of the presentation…
Why such issue ? Cultural landscape of
important Romanian destinations is affected
Goals:
• To promote the importance of a sustainable
development of cultural landscape
• To bring into attention the existing
regulations in certification criteria elaborated
by EETLS and AER related to cultural
landscape.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

5. A local tourism destination
• is a physical space, in which a visitor spends at least
one overnight.
• incorporates various stakeholders, often including a
host community, and can form a network with other
destinations to shape larger destinations, e.g. regional,
national and multinational destinations
(After Terzibasoglu 2004)
Different stakeholders, different visions, different
interests?
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

6. Ecodestination
•
Image defined by responsible marketing;
•
Within destination are developed businesses in a
sustainable way;
•
Local communities are supported by the developed
activities;
•
Within destination awareness is raised and information
campaigns regarding the nature are made for tourists
and local communities are organized;
•
In destination, concrete measures are implemented for
nature conservations.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

7. Components of a tourism
destinations
Public space,
Nature
Cultural landscape…
Local
community
Traditional occupation.
Culture experience.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

8. The cultural landscape is…
….. the result of interaction
between nature and the
human factor, showing the
evolution of society and of
human settlements during
the history
(Source: UNESCO, Operational Guidelines for the
Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 3rd
Annex, p. 112)
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

9. Cultural landscape
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

10. Cultural landscape
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

11. Cultural landscape
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

12. Material and immaterial patrimony of
the destination
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

13. Cultural landscape.
Not necessary a new entry.
“Bukowina. Eine Heimatkunde” 1899
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

14. Previous studies in Romania
• Regional branches of OAR – Order of Romanian
Architects;
• Individual architects have initiated studies that have
analysed the changes in cultural landscape in several
tourism areas:
- Maramures (Elvadeanu&Ganea, 2009; Zaharia
2009)
- Alba County (Barbieri et all, 2012, Arhitectura
Locala, Constientizare si Valorizare, Casa
Traditionala din Tara Motilor. Evolutie, Specific,
Functii contemporane)
- Sibiu County (Cazacu, Chasovschi a.o., 2010),
- Manastirea Humorului (Bucovina) and others.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

15. The landscape is dynamic
COULD WE MANAGE THE CHANGES IN A
SUSTAINABLE WAY?
• The cultural landscape of the area is part of
the tourism resources of the destination.
• If the landscape has been damaged by
aesthetic aggressive interventions (new
buildings that do not fit with the traditional
architecture), the effect could be irreversible.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

16. Rural area – a landscape in
transformation
•
•
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
One of competitive
advantage of
Romanian
destinations:
authenticity,
unique cultural
landscape
The “modernity”
promoted in an
excessive way is
affecting negative
the cultural
landscape of
important rural
destinations
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

17. Cultural landscape and tourism development
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

18. What are the tourists thinking?
•
207 respondents in
2012
•
87% have answered
that they are prefering
traditional style of
construction in the
landscape
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

19. Cultural landscape and tourism development
– a fragile relation
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

20. Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

21. Rustic/Kitsch vs. landscape integration
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

22. On the field documentation
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

23. Details and decorations
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

24. Type of changes according
Heritage research for Sibiu&Brasov area
Materials: 32%
Color: 25%
Gates: 23%
Windows: 17%
Basement:
16%
1st Conclusion: in some areas the changes are only in surface, and
are reversible
2nd Conclusion: not all areas have such a luck (Maramures, Bucovina
a.o.)
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

25. Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

26. Why do we need a vision?
Progress ?
Progress ?
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

27. Motivation behind
Private owners. Negative interventions in cultural
landscape:
• No necessary bad intentions (that is good )
• Lack of guidance
• Mistrust that the traditional vernacular architecture is
interesting for others
• Cost problem (“do it yourself”)
• Lack of orientation related to adaptation of traditional
buildings to new functions and contemporary needs.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

28. The landscape is dynamic.
Interventions in the public space
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

29. Motivation. Public buildings
and public space
Public side:
• Lack of guidance
• No knowledge related to conservation of landscape
or nature
• Lack of knowledge in destination management and
tourism
• Mistrust that the traditional vernacular architecture in
interesting for others
• Personal interest is a priority, and not the sustainable
development of the area.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

30. Can we manage this changes?
• The Ecotourism Association from Romania has
developed the first criteria for certification of ecodestinations;
• The certification criteria could be used as a general
check-list for developing a destination in a sustainable
way (www.eco-romania.ro, accessed at 2.11.2012);
• The criteria A.6, “Planning and construction of
buildings and infrastructure” precisely describes the
characteristics that will be not only sustainable but that
will
respond
to
tourists’
expectations
and
requirements;
• Sub-criteria 6.2 is very clear: “The outside image of
the buildings respects the traditional architecture and
fits with the landscape of the destination”.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

31. EETLS are taking the cultural landscape
into consideration
The quality of the environment is very important in eco
destinations. All tourism stakeholders should:
• respect the natural or cultural heritage surroundings
in sitting, design, impact assessment, and land
rights and acquisition;
• ensure that the building and other infrastructure
included in their investment are well adapted to the
natural and cultural environment by using, for
example, local materials and local architectural
styles;
• historical and archaeological artifacts are not sold,
traded, or displayed, except as permitted by law.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

32. Criteria for certification in EETLS
•
It is crucial to respect the natural
surroundings (EETLS: 2012, p.15, A
6.2.1 and A.6.2.2.) and the cultural
heritage surroundings in the design
of the guest house and in the
arrangements that you intend to do
in the outdoor space of the guest
house.
•
The construction should not
overcome the height limits of the
surroundings and you should not
use colors that are in contrast with
the colors around.
•
Exceptions are situations where
such color is the traditional color of
houses
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

33. Criteria A and C AER. Maximize the benefits for
cultural patrimony and minimize the negative
impact/effects
C.1. Valorisation of cultural patrimony by
offering cultural experiences;
C.2. Protection the cultural patrimony, historic
and archeological sites and other cultural
patrimony;
C.3. Traditions and customs of local
communities are stimulated;
C.4. Respect for the values and traditions of
local communities, development of a
conduct of behavior for the activities done
within local communities, in cooperation
and in agreement with the community.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

34. C
Check list for
proper
planning or
building
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

35. Important assumptions
…a good cooperation between
local stakeholders is a
“must” for a proper
destination management.
…important for success on
long term is also the cultural
landscape of the destination.
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

36. Orientation is highly needed.
Destination management, vision assumed (developed?) by
communities
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

37. •
Cooperation between
stakeholders is very
important
•
The community should be
part of the process
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

38. Vision for the future
• Wise transformation toward a wise vision
• Protected cultural landscape.
Possible through:
• Cooperation
• Destination management
• Capacity building
• Awareness rising for local inhabitants, public
institutions from the area
• Education activities about nature and local culture
among local communities.
Bad news: We must hurry !!!
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

39. How it will look the destinations after 20
years?
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

40. Let’s hope tha
we will have a
warm smile fo
our tourists !
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013

41. Discover Eco-Romania !
Pictures: Sorin Onisor, Bogdan Papuc, Catalin Dumitrescu
Carmen Chasovschi
University Stefan cel Mare Suceava / AER
European Ecotourism Conference
Brasov, 23rd of October 2013