Cultural Tourism in Buzău Carpathians and Sub-Carpathians (Romania): Local Businesses' Perspective

Cultural tourism plays a growing role both in tourists’ preferences and in tourism development options in many regions of the world. This paper examines how businesses in the Buzău Carpathians and Sub-Carpathians, a predominantly rural region where tourism relies heavily on the natural landscapes and cultural heritage, perceive cultural tourism. The analysis was performed using a questionnaire survey applied to the local business representatives, focusing on three key areas: (a) their interaction with visitors and contribution to the local economy; (b) their role as drivers of cultural tourism and improving communities’ livelihoods; and (c) the current and future challenges they face. This study highlights the way in which local businesses support cultural tourism, empower local communities, and contribute to local and regional development through their connections with cultural and heritage attractions. Despite these businesses facing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited promotion, a narrow cultural tourism offering, and weak institutional collaboration, the research findings emphasize their pivotal role in fostering both local and regional development.