Tourism, as a form and activity, has an antiquity that cannot be established exactly, although the term appeared in England around the 1700s to define travel activity in Europe (Nistoreanu, 2005a). Various forms of tourism have manifested themselves since ancient times, from the time when the Gathering Man traveled to procure food. Later, the Man-Farmer traveled to expand and improve his area by cultivating primary agricultural products.
Later, the Missionary Man traveled to spread Christianity to other countries where it did not exist. The Researcher Man, from the Middle Ages, traveled the world to know other lands and continents, better discovering the planet. Last but not least, the Man-Creator of Ideas and Innovations has traveled the world for technologies and inventions, especially in the IT field, in order to expose, present and capitalize on them. Thus, it came to the current form of tourism, known as travel and travel tourism or for rest and recreation, but also other forms of tourism.
Today, international tourism is one of the most important economic branches in the world, occupying a strategic position through its contribution to the formation and size of GDP. It includes service-producing activities that are launched to meet the consumption needs of tourists. Tourism holds a share of about 5% of the Global Gross Product, generating 6-7% of the labor force.
On a global scale, in terms of revenue, international tourism occupies an important place after the oil sector and that of the chemicals and car manufacturing industry. However, the development of tourism also poses major challenges due mainly to the continuous growth of both domestic and international travel and, equally, the economic crisis that has affected the entire planet in a non-uniform way.
Romania must follow the path of harmonization with this global context and thus contribute to the amplification of the global consciousness. Therefore, Romania must correlate the concepts of "eco-management", respectively "ecotourism" in order to develop a sustainable tourism. In the perspective of the evolution and future development of tourism in Romania, it is necessary to take into account a series of factors, of which the most relevant are: economic, ecological, organizational, technical, demographic, psychological factors, etc. and to be able to support the implementation of crisis strategies in order to develop sustainable tourism.
All the characteristics highlighted above represented the starting point and the reason why I decided to elaborate this paper.
Last but not least, I want to thank my supporters, my wife and family, but also the doctoral supervisor and the professors who inspired me and who offered me continuous support until the end.
The Author