Camelia Surugiu

Is the tourism sector supportive of economic growth? Empirical evidence on Romanian tourism

This paper studies the long-run relationships between tourism expansion and economic growth in Romania during the period 1988–2009. The empirical evidence highlights the nature of causal relationships, if any, between domestic travel and tourism spending, internal travel and tourism consumption, the gross domestic product annual growth rate and the real exchange rate. The paper uses the cointegration method and Granger causality analysis based on the vector error correction model (VECM) and impulse functions. The findings suggest that there are Granger causality relationships running from tourism expansion to economic growth, which sustains the tourism-led growth hypothesis (TLGH). These results emphasize the need for more consistent tourism development plans and strategies to be implemented at national and regional levels by the governmental authorities.

A Panel Data Modelling of International Tourism Demand: Evidences for Romania

Abstract This paper analysis the determinants of international tourism demand for Romania and it quantifies their influences. The authors elaborate two models, a fixed-effects model and the Tobit model, to estimate tourist inflow data from twenty-three European countries, for the period 1997-2008. In the fixed effects static panel model, we find that GDP per capita, bilateral trade, population, prices are the main determinants of tourism flows to Romania. For the Tobit model, all the variables taken into consideration, GDP per capita, bilateral trade, population, geographical distance, prices are influencing the international tourism demand. Both models indicate that trade, population, and income are more important determinants than relative prices or geographical distance between Romania and countries of origin.

An Input-Output Approach of CO2 Emissions in Tourism Sector in Post-Communist Romania

Abstract Greenhouse gas emissions GHG have a significant impact on the environment. Their dramatic increase is being led by changes in land use patterns, deforestation, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities UNWTO, 2003 , inducing one of the main challenges humankind is facing nowadays, i.e. climate change. The concentration of GHG in the atmosphere has been growing at an unprecedented rate and magnitude. They have increased since the beginning of the industrial era and accelerated worldwide, particularly since 1945. Global emissions of GHG grew 70% from 1970 to 2004 IPPC, 2008. Countries most contributing to this are the developed nations and, more recently, the BRIC countries, which are going through a rapid economic growth process. Solely, the United States accounts for around one fourth of the worlds GHG emissions. This paper will investigate the impact of changes in the final demand for tourism sector on the carbon dioxide CO2 emissions, using the environmental input-output IO approach. The empirical analysis is developed for Romania, using economic and environmental data. The shocks in tourism final demand will reveal the environmental burdens transmitted throughout the economy of an initial percentage change. The second finding of this paper concerns the decrease in CO2 emissions as a result of changes in CO2 intensity of various productive sectors.

International Trade, Globalization and Economic Interdependence between European Countries: Implications for Businesses and Marketing Framework

Abstract International trade has an important share in GDP in different countries. Various companies from different countries are looking for new growth opportunities beyond their home country borders. Due to international trade, important sectors of the economies can be stimulated, such as transport and ICT sectors. Thus, international trade can be important for business, due to profits growth prospects, reduced dependence on known markets, business expansion, etc. The increase of international trade over the years has been a result of the globalization process. Thus, both consumers and companies can now choose from a wider range of products and services. Also, globalization refers to the interdependence between countries arising from the integration of different aspects of the economy, such as trade. International trade can stimulate economic growth of countries that are now so interconnected. Currently, globalization cannot be ignored by businesses, due to the opportunities offered by foreign markets.

Labour Productivity and Investments as Determinants of Wages: A Pool Data Analysis of the Romanian Hotel and Restaurant Sector

This paper analyses the factors influencing wages in the hotel and restaurant sector of Romania on the basis of a macroeconomic and regional analysis of gross investments and employment in the tourism industry. The authors constructed a pool data model to investigate the existing relationship between real wages, labour productivity and gross investments in the eight development regions of Romania during 1999–2007. The results may be useful to policy makers and professionals seeking to understand the mechanism of the tourism labour market in Romania and, further, to mobilize the labour force in the sector in order to obtain better results by using appropriate instruments adapted to domestic labour.

The assessment of climate change impact on the Romanian seaside tourism.

Abstract Climate change is one of the major concerns facing the world today, estimated to generate both benefits and costs in various economic and social areas, i.e. agriculture, forestry, food industry, tourism, infrastructure, human health, settlements etc. The estimation of the specialists indicates that, generally, the costs of climate change will exceed the benefits. This paper aims to investigate the climate change impact on the Romanian seaside tourism. Using various multiple regression models, the data indicate that the increase of mean air temperature and sunshine duration stimulate domestic tourist flows to Romanian seaside resorts. The economic impact of climate variability on tourism sector was estimated, consideri ng various scenarios of analysis. However, future research is needed in order to extend the analysis, usi ng a larger data base and applying the empirical investigation on other tourism destinations exposed to climate change.

Training for Heritage Promotion in Rural Areas

Revitalizing rural areas can be done on the basis of innovative ideas provided by well-trained staff with high skill levels. Education and training should be a priority due to the continuing high rate of growth in the demand for new skills in the labor market. Currently, employers are seeking, in the labor market, people with social skills, computer skills, foreign language speakers, and people who demonstrate initiative, coming up with new ideas which may be productive for businesses. People have become more sensitive about the environment, they are more educated and seek quality in both services and products. This cannot be provided without the assistance of stakeholders (local communities, authorities, entrepreneurs, employees, trainers, etc.) who also need to be trained in accordance with their duties and roles.

ICTs AND EMPLOYMENT: NEW OPPORTUNITIES ON THE LABOUR MARKET

Objectives: In this paper, the potential for increasing employment opportunities and skills availability is investigated. Prior work: E-work activities differ by countries, with impact in various fields. Approach: The statistical data are used to underline the trends. Results: E-work is an emerging process and supports the development of a new business model. Implications and value: From the businesses perspective, e-work phenomenon may represent a new opportunity, and competitiveness could be improved. Also, e-work may present advantages and disadvantages with influences on the results of workers and businesses. In this paper such trends are analysed, in a comparative approach

Intra-industry trade in Romania: analysis of the automobile parts and accessories sector

This paper examines the determinants of intra-industry trade (IIT) in the Romanian automobile parts and accessories sector. The trade in this sector between Romania and 12 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Turkey) was examined. These countries were chosen taking into consideration the trade volume with Romania, a pooled ordinary least squares model being created for the period 1995–2008. The results showed a direct influence on IIT from economic dimension, physical endowments and distance. The higher and lower gross domestic product values between Romania and other country have a negative sign, even if, for the second variable, we expected a positive sign.