The Profile of Wine Tourists in Vrancea County: Regional Demand Analysis for Wine-Related Thematic Experiences

Authors

  • Gina Bordea Doctoral School of Geosciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași, Romania
  • Corneliu Iațu Department of Geography, Faculty of Geography and Geology, ”Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Romania

Keywords:

wine tourism, tourist profile, oenological tourism, tourist behaviour, sustainable development

Abstract

[EN] The aim of this study is to highlight the characteristics of wine tourists by identifying their demographic and psychographic profiles, as well as by analyzing the relationships between demographic variables and interest in wine-themed experiences. The research was based on a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire applied both in physical and online format, which generated 281 responses, of which 157 were collected directly from tourists who visited wineries. The results show that almost half of the respondents had previous experiences in wine tourism, the main activities being wine tasting and visiting wineries. Most prefer to travel with family and stay with relatives or friends, amid a limited offer of wine-specific accommodation units. Tourist information is mainly provided through the official wineries' websites, and visits are concentrated in the summer and autumn seasons, predominantly on weekends. In the case of emerging destinations, such as Vrancea County, wine tourism is emerging as a significant vector of local economic and socio-cultural development.

[FR] Cette étude vise à mettre en lumière les caractéristiques des oenotouristes en identifiant leurs profils démographiques et psychographiques, ainsi qu'en analysant les liens entre les variables démographiques et leur intérêt pour les expériences liées au vin. La recherche s'appuie sur une approche quantitative, utilisant un questionnaire diffusé à la fois sous format papier et en ligne, qui a généré 281 réponses, dont 157 recueillies directement auprès de touristes ayant visité des domaines viticoles. Les résultats montrent que près de la moitié des répondants ont déjà participé à des activités d'oenotourisme, les principales étant la dégustation de vins et la visite de domaines. La plupart privilégient les voyages en famille et l'hébergement chez des proches, l'offre d'hébergements spécifiquement dédiés au vin étant limitée. Les informations touristiques sont principalement disponibles sur les sites web officiels des domaines viticoles, et les visites se concentrent en été et en automne, surtout le week-end. Dans le cas de destinations émergentes, comme le comté de Vrancea, l'oenotourisme s'affirme comme un vecteur important de développement économique et socioculturel local.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15551/lsgdc.v53i2.02

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2025-12-24

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