Romanian Tourists’ Attitudes Towards the Oltenia Region Ecotourism in the Context of Sustainable Territorial Development

Abstract

National parks, such as Domogled-Valea Cernei and Cozia, alongside protected areas like the Mehedinți Plateau Geopark or the Field of Lapiezuri in Ponoare, represent key assets for attracting tourists interested in nature and sustainability. This study investigates how tourists perceive sustainable ecotourism in Romania’s South-West Oltenia Region and identifies the primary determinants of their travel preferences. Specifically, it examines shifts in destination choices, the orientation toward safer and more sustainable locations, and changes in trip frequency and duration. Data were collected between June and December 2025 via a structured questionnaire administered to 500 visitors to these protected areas. To test the research hypotheses, the data were analyzed using multiple statistical methods, including regression analysis, the Chi-square test, an independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The statistical results largely confirmed the proposed hypotheses. Notably, a significant relationship between tourist age and visit frequency was identified, indicating distinct behavioral patterns across age groups. Furthermore, perceptions of service quality varied significantly by gender, highlighting divergent experiences and expectations between male and female visitors.