CROSS-BORDER PROJECTS – MEANS FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE ROMANIAN-HUNGARIAN BORDER

• Main Author: Cătălina-Maria BÂTEA (BOTA)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Editura Universitatii din Oradea 2014-12-01
• Series: Analele Universităţii din Oradea: Seria Geografie
• Subjects: cross-border cooperation; sustainable tourism
• Online Access: http://geografie-uoradea.ro/Reviste/Anale/Art/2014-2/6.AUOG_660_Bota.pdf

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the linkage between establishing crossborder relations and tourism development by focusing on ten tourism projects implemented under Hungary-Romania Cross-Border Co-operation Programme (2007-2013). The study area comprises the two neighbouring counties of Satu Mare and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, the border connecting two areas characterised by social and economic similarities. Building on a solid foundation, as the first Hungarian-Romanian cross-border initiatives were launched nearly two decades ago, the two counties work together towards the shared aim of developing business infrastructure, cross-border trade, culture and tourism. The present study examines the relevance of cross-border projects viewed from the perspective of sustainable tourism development in two peripheral counties featuring similar resources. Moreover, the investigation is based on consultation of project documents, reports and promotional materials, against the theoretical framework of cross-border cooperation and regional development.