Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 25 ISSUE 3
Written by Nicoleta BUCATÄ‚ (ȘEICARU), Liviu MARCUTA, Agatha POPESCU, Elena TONEA, Alina MARCUTA

The purpose of this research was to assess the structure and dynamics of tourist accommodation capacity in Giurgiu County during the period 2015–2024 and to identify its implications for the implementation of circular economy principles in local tourism. The analysis followed both the structural characteristics of the market and its potential to support a sustainable development model, based on diversification, efficiency and integration into the local economy. The methodology was quantitative, descriptive-analytical, based on official data from the sources of the National Institute of Statistics. The data set included the total accommodation capacity broken down by type of structure. The processing involved the calculation of absolute and percentage variations, weights by type, as well as synthetic indicators of evolution, coefficient of variation, average annual growth rate, CAGR, and structure, Herfindahl–Hirschman index, Simpson index, Shannon entropy, effective number of types and Pielou equilibrium index. The results highlighted a high and constant concentration of accommodation capacity around the hotel segment, a low typological diversity and an unbalanced distribution between the types of structures. The low coefficient of variation indicated structural stability, and the positive but low CAGR suggested a slow pace of expansion. These characteristics limit the flexibility of the market and reduce the capacity for a balanced distribution of tourist flows and pressure on resources. The resulting conclusions indicate the need for a deliberate transition towards a circular tourism model, capable of reducing the degree of concentration, diversifying the typology of structures and integrating local economic chains. The proposed model, structured on six strategic components, typological diversification, optimizing resource consumption, circular waste management, integration into the local economy, community and tourist involvement, as well as performance measurement and reporting, provides an applicative framework for increasing the resilience and sustainability of tourism in Giurgiu County.

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