On industrial tourism as a viable perspective for the Jiu Valley

University of Petroșani, Department of Management and Industrial Engineering, 20 University, Petroșani, Romania

^* Corresponding author: ionelasamuil@gmail.com

Abstract

The need to recognize the value of technological structures as elements of heritage has led to the establishment and development of industrial tourism. The interest in the conservation of abandoned industrial sites has not only scientific but also economic and heritage importance, especially for the regions severely affected by the industrial restructuring process. This process has had disastrous consequences, especially for the mono-industrial regions dominated by a single field of activity. One such example is the Jiu Valley, which was one of the most industrialized areas of the country and the main cities based their economy on the mining industry. But the Jiu Valley is defined not only by mining and mines, by cities and people with a precarious financial situation but also by hospitable cities and people, eager to share their traditions and culture. In this context, the article identifies the potential of exploitation of industrial structures in tourism, thus supporting the perspective component of revitalization by reuse of a mining perimeter. Investments in cultural heritage can lead to positive effects for the local economy not only in terms of cultural consumption, but also in terms of increasing the number of jobs and incomes.