REGIONAL POLICY IN PRACTICE: THE CASE OF THE BRASOV METROPOLITAN AREA
REGIONAL POLICY IN PRACTICE: THE CASE OF THE BRASOV METROPOLITAN AREA

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyzes the implementation of regional policies in practice, by means of a case study conducted on the city of Brasov. Sibiu closed its mandate as the European capital of culture in 2007 successfully. In order to follow Sibiu’s path, Brasov looked the future with the following aim in mind: to develop an integrated strategy for a metropolitan area. This area will include 1 city, 5 towns and 8 villages, summing up to about 400,000 inhabitants. Public authorities representing the involved entities have reached the conclusion that their interests concerning economic and social welfare as well as environmental protection converge. As follow, a strategy for the sustainable development of Brasov’s metropolitan area for 2007-2013 has been designed. This strategy is supported by means of more than 80 projects, financed through national and EU sources. Due to the strong tourism potential of the area this paper focuses mainly on the tourism section of the strategy and on city marketing. It defines the objectives for tourism development and highlights the current problems associated with tourism in the area. Accordingly, policy recommendations are issued in this field, comprising city branding, promotional activities linked to tourism, quality of tourism services, development of specific attractions and infrastructure, as well as training for employees in tourism. Hopes are that, by stimulating new ideas related to tourism, one of the expected outcomes of the cooperation between public authorities and private firms will improve policy-making in the Brasov metropolitan area .

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