On December 6, 2021, the “Tourism Observatory” platform was officially launched during the Amfiteatru Meetings. Additionally, the report for the month of November has been published and can be read here.
The speakers at this edition were: Aurel Borșan – Amfiteatru Foundation, Mihai Ogrinji – România Pitorească, Gabriela Țigu – Faculty of Business & Tourism / ASE, and Răzvan Voinea – Studio Zona Association. The discussion was moderated by Enikő Mátyus – Transylvania Regional Balneotourism Cluster. The speakers highlighted the advantages of having such a working platform—backed by analyses, research, an innovative approach, and the presentation of creative ideas, serving as a hub where initiatives like those discussed can be actively promoted.
Enikő Mátyus (Transylvania Regional Balneotourism Cluster) highlighted the growing importance of digitalization. It is no longer just a competitive advantage; it has become a necessity. Furthermore, collaboration among the economic sector, mass media, authorities, and academia can successfully foster tools for integrating and transferring the results of research, initiatives, and best practices. Tourism is an interdisciplinary field, and this complementarity can turn into an obstacle when access to information is lacking.
Mihai Ogrinji (România Pitorească) emphasized the benefits of digitalization in a context where accessing specialized and reliable information in tourism has become extremely difficult. He noted that the “Tourism Observatory” carries forward the Amfiteatru Foundation’s long-standing experience in productive hospitality through responsible tourism.
Gabriela Țigu (Faculty of Business & Tourism / ASE) highlighted the key pillars of any local strategy designed to capitalize on current trends shaped by the past two years of the pandemic: analyzing community resources, identifying local specifics and target tourists, assessing competitors, and evaluating the added value of the local offering. As tourists shift their interest from mass tourism to niche options – such as cultural, ecological, gastronomic, or health tourism, as well as uncrowded destinations close to nature – it is essential for local communities to get involved and identify authentic elements to offer visitors. A platform like the “Tourism Observatory” can help them use research and analysis to answer questions such as: Who are the target tourists? Where do they come from? What expectations do they have? How can we satisfy them? It can also contextualize these trends within global frameworks and show how they can be practically applied.
Răzvan Voinea (Studio Zona Association) shared the conclusions of a study conducted in Bucharest, emphasizing the importance of architectural specificity and the evolutionary particularities of local places. When entire generations grow accustomed to specific visual landmarks, only for them to disappear, often to make way for residential complexes, it triggers a sense of mistrust and urban alienation. Preserving historical particularities brings not only continuity to the community but also a touch of uniqueness to each project, ultimately enhancing individual property value through shared accessibility. This is a solution that can be easily implemented by the private sector, requiring no government initiatives, and relying primarily on the common sense of architects and developers.
Aurel Borșan (Amfiteatru Foundation) concluded that “authenticity” remains the core keyword: as long as people feel and live locally, things are heading in the right direction. A satisfied community with a strong identity and robust social cohesion is inherently a hospitable community, one that naturally attracts visitors from local, national, and international spheres.
The success of this initiative will depend on the partners we attract and their active involvement. We are confident that an increasing number of stakeholders in the hospitality industry recognize the value of the “Tourism Observatory” – not only as an economic asset, but also as a vital barometer of communities and territories, offering a clear way to understand and decode the quality of life and future directions of evolution.