Investigations on Some Induced Risks to Tourism Infrastructure within the Resorts of Harghita County

Attila PETELEY1
1 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Geography, Gheorghieni Branch, ROMANIA 
E-mail: peteley_turism@yahoo.com
Pages: 347-352

Abstract. In this paper I considered to investigate two important aspects regarding some risks that are affecting tourism infrastructure as well as the tourism flow in the resorts of Harghita County. The investigations are based on direct field observation and comparison in time of changes induced by human activities. Carrying out these activities, which tend to become risks, can disturb, modify, or have a negative impact on the visitors’ experiences in tourism resorts in Harghita County. In what human activities are concerned, in this paper I will focus mainly on two aspects: one of them is based on risks generated by modernization activities on local infrastructure within resorts and the effects that these works generate as they are carried out. These maintenance or development works to the drinking water supply system, or the sewage water system, the maintenance of the electricity or special cable transports like cable television, telephone and internet, or the modernizing of transport infrastructure (roads), disturb tourism flows, affect the general aspect of the landscape and produce discomfort to visitors. The other aspect that I observed referes to human neglection, resulting in the degradation, partial or total destruction or even total loss of components of tourism infrastructure. Underlining local authorities’ carelessness in a certain sector shows that they do not pursue or plan correctly the timeline and the way in which modernisation activities are carried out within resorts.

K e y w o r d s: tourism infrastructure, modernization, effects of risks, neglecting and resorts