The relationship between tourism and the biosphere reserve status: The Danube Delta – If the Danube is “the sustainable highway’ of Europe, then the Danube Delta should be the sustainable gate to the Black Sea
Abstract
The main aim of this article is to find out whether the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) demonstrates the characteristics of a biosphere reserve, and if its functions contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development, particularly tourism, without causing negative impacts on the ecological integrity. The study is based on mixed methods, including primary data collected through structured and semi-structured face-to-face interviews with representatives of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve Authority (DDBRA), the National Centre for Promotion of Tourism in Tulcea (CNIPT), Romania, and 15
tourists; personal observation during first-hand experience in the Danube Delta; and analysis of
secondary data and related previous research. Overall, the research found that the DDBRA
undertakes all measures to fulfil the criteria of the biosphere reserve designation: it has the three zones
and management plan, it focuses on nature conservation and maintaining cultural heritage, it
supports opportunities for environmental education, socio-economic development and local
decision-making. However, this article suggests that the functions of the biosphere reserve are not very
well understood by visitors and by local people, and that the biosphere reserve objectives are not very
clear and are not reflected clearly enough from the DDBR management to the visitors and people living
in the Danube Delta. Therefore, the dissemination and implementation of all objectives of the
biosphere reserve designation could benefit not only the sustainable development of tourism, but also the biosphere reserve itself. This article recommends the integration of the "cultural landscape", as described by the German MAB National Committee (2005) and "wilderness" concepts into the official
biosphere reserve definition.
Identifier (Other)
DOI: 10.25316/IR-73Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
On the Volga delta, Astrakan
Unknown author (Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University, 1976)Colour postcard of a fishing plant ship and smaller vessel on the left side of the card, and fish and tins of caviar on the right side. -
Improving sanitation in the Niger Delta
Gilbert, Nancy E. (2017-05-11)Little progress has been made in addressing sanitation, water and hygiene in the Niger Delta, and currently an estimated 50 million people still practice open defecation in Nigeria. Using the exploratory case study method, ... -
Applicability of a delta portable XRF spectrometer for determining geochemistry of glacial sediment samples collected in the Canadian Western Arctic
Nicol, Malcolm (2016-01-28)The performance of Royal Roads University's Delta Premium DP 6000 portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (Delta pXRF), specifically its accuracy and precision, was assessed on two certified standards for select elements. ...