Survival Probability of Tourist Accommodation Establishments in Romania in Relation to the Action of Some Relevant Factors

Abstract

The units with tourist functions in Romania have a variable duration of activity resulting from the actions of different factors, but which can be analysed mathematically through survival analysis models. The number of establishments offering accommodation for tourism purposes in Romania exceeds 22,000, and the data indicated by the Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism on the companies that manage them are the inputs of the study. These allowed for the creation of a statistical database showing the total operating time from establishment to the present or to the cessation of activity. Grouping was carried out according to the type of establishment, the location of the companies in rural or urban areas, their belonging to a geographical region of Romania and classification according to the comfort category. The drawing up of evolution curves describing the probability of survival of the establishments, distinctly for the groups mentioned, and the statistical analysis to establish the significance of the differences between the groups provide information that allows for determining and understanding how certain factors influence the chances of survival of the tourist establishment. The type of accommodation unit, the region of development in which the unit is located and the category of comfort are the factors that have a statistically significant influence on the probability of survival of these units. The location of tourism units in rural or urban areas is not a relevant factor. Knowledge of the actions of these factors allows for optimising the measures taken at the start of an activity in the tourism industry. These can result in improving the survivability of tourism. Sustainable tourism involves developing and supporting different forms of tourism by implementing activity management at both the accommodation unit level and at the locality, regional or whole tourist area level. The survival and continuity of the tourism business on the market and, at the same time, respect for the natural, social and economic integrity of the environment can ensure the rational exploitation of natural and cultural resources for future generations.