The Role of Road Accessibility for Tourists in the Valorization of Archaeological Resources in the Dobrogea Region, Romania

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for the opportunity to read your valuable study exploring the accessibility of archaeological sites in the Dobrogea region of Romania for tourists and their impact on tourism.

The topic is relevant and timely, as the development of sustainability, including the sustainability of archaeological tourism, is of paramount importance today. The study will be particularly useful for local and regional development policy makers, which is also of particular relevance in terms of its practical applicability.

However, the research questions and hypotheses are not clearly defined in the study, which would provide a clear guideline for the analysis.

The literature review is extensive, analysing the role of sustainable tourism, transport networks and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in tourism development. The literature review provides an important theoretical background for the research, especially on the application of GIS.

However, it would also be worthwhile to present examples of similar tourism development and methods from other European regions, which put the study area in context.

The methodology used in this research, the use of GIS and the Huff index, is innovative and contributes to an accurate analysis, underlining the importance of tourism transport infrastructure. However, when using the Huff index, it is not clear whether the data used to measure tourism flows are representative of the region as a whole.  The analysis focuses too much on the role of road infrastructure, ignoring cultural and demographic factors that can also affect tourism flows. A multivariate analysis or regression model could provide a deeper picture of the factors that most influence tourists' decisions and take into account other factors related to tourism.

The conclusions of the study are relevant and can be applied in practice, but it would be worthwhile to analyse the conclusions in more detail and relate them to the statistical results. The study also lacks a more in-depth analysis of sustainability aspects, how tourism affects local communities and the environment in the study area, and how well the region can support the growth of tourism in a sustainable way.

The authors also make concrete recommendations for infrastructure development and point out regional specificities that could be useful for local authorities. It would be useful to complement the analysis with comparisons of other tourism destinations with similar infrastructure and accessibility challenges and to extend the analysis to other regions to see how the results can be applied.

The study does not identify research limitations, which reduces the transparency of the analysis, such as the use of other modes of transport (public transport, cycling, etc.) which may also play a role in visitor numbers, and pays little attention to cultural and social factors such as the attitude of local people towards tourism or the impact of local cultural events, which may also have a significant impact on tourism development. It would also be worthwhile to identify further research directions.

Overall, the study is a valuable contribution to archaeological tourism, but the scientific contribution could be enhanced by the inclusion of further analytical perspectives, which would greatly increase the value and applicability of the research in the international tourism development discourse.

I recommend the study for publication with minor modifications and additions.

Author Response

First of all, on behalf of all the co-authors, we would like to thank the reviewer for his very valuable suggestions and comments, which helped to improve our manuscript.

 

COMMENT 1:

• The topic is relevant and timely, as the development of sustainability, including the sustainability of archaeological tourism, is of paramount importance today. The study will be particularly useful for local and regional development policy makers, which is also of particular relevance in terms of its practical applicability.

However, the research questions and hypotheses are not clearly defined in the study, which would provide a clear guideline for the analysis.

• The literature review is extensive, analysing the role of sustainable tourism, transport networks and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in tourism development. The literature review provides an important theoretical background for the research, especially on the application of GIS.

However, it would also be worthwhile to present examples of similar tourism development and methods from other European regions, which put the study area in context.

 

 

REPLY  1: Thanks for your suggestions, we have reworked the introduction and added a Literature Review section.

 

Introduction (Rows 130 – 233)

Distance and accessibility are fundamental attributes for building strategies to harness the potential of tourism resources, which political authorities or management organizations must take into account to give realism to strategic projections [1,2]. Along with other important factors, accessibility is an important variable in assessing the spatial attractiveness of a place with tourist potential [3], especially for rural areas [4], where most of the archaeological resources analyzed in this study are located.

Transportation is one of the fundamental prerequisites for tourism to exist. It is a key element that connects tourists with the destinations to be reached. Although the link between tourism and transportation has been extensively examined previously [5, 6, 7, 8, 9], there are still significant gaps in this research topic.

The valorization of archaeological resources is significantly influenced by road accessibility for tourists. This includes the ease with which tourists can reach these re-sources and the role of transportation infrastructure in enhancing the attractiveness and sustainability of tourist destinations.

The role of road accessibility in the valorization of archaeological resources is multifaceted. It involves assessing and improving the vulnerability of road networks to ensure socio-economic stability, designing inclusive and sustainable tourism infra-structure, and managing spatial accessibility to balance the distribution of tourism demand. These factors collectively contribute to improving the overall tourism experi-ence and the sustainable development of tourist destinations.

There are studies that have tried to quantify the tourist potential and look for ways to develop local and regional tourism in our study area [10,11], but the use of geospatial technology has been little used. Tourism can significantly contribute to local economic development, increasing the living standards of the region's inhabitants. The authen-ticity and historical value of archeological resources can motivate tourists to travel long distances to experience places reminiscent of ancient times [12–14]. The region proposed for the study includes two counties located at opposite poles in terms of revenue specific to the tourism sector. Thus, Constanța is one of the counties with the highest incomes of employees in the tourism industry, while Tulcea County is at the opposite end of the ranking [15]. However, tourism resources are widespread in both counties and the po-tential for capitalizing on them is high, especially in terms of historical and cultural value.

Tourism is an economic sector that can significantly contribute to the local eco-nomic development of rural areas [16–20], the basic condition being the application of strategies for capitalizing on tourist resources in the integrated projection of local eco-nomic development. It can be appreciated that making the tools for strategic planning of the capitalization of tourist resources in the local and regional economy is imperative.

The efficiency of the territorial systems management with a basic tourist function is conditioned by the understanding of the characteristics of the resources available in a geographical space, the GIS analysis providing sufficient information for an objective approach [21–26], thus obtaining a superior knowledge, which will help the authorities to economically capitalize on tourist resources.

The importance of accessibility and distance in the tourist capitalization of re-sources is achieved through specific modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer today the most important tools for analyzing and modeling the spatial dimension of tourism development [27–33]. In the specialized literature there are numerous ap-proaches regarding the infrastructure planning support, necessary for the sustainable development of tourism [34], the objective of these researches being to increase the degree of accessibility for tourists. Distance in the tourism industry is important for several reasons: accessibility of destinations, travel time, travel cost, environmental impact.

GIS modeling is, also, a useful tool in local marketing and tourism marketing, in the specific literature being numerous GIS modeling used in the audit of local resources in the perspective of their economic recovery [34–38].

Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) are important means of spatial modeling the accessibility of a place, many studies using this technology to calculate the degree of accessibility of the population to various facilities: parks [39], shops [40], medical units [41–43] etc. GIS is also the methodological basis for studying the accessibility in tourism [44–46], with many studies based on Network Analysis [47–49]. The analysis of geo-graphical accessibility taking into account a communication routes network is more complex than those which uses Euclidean distances between different points of interest. Unlike other studies involving GIS analysis in quantifying accessibility to tourism re-sources, this research focuses on distances measured in units of time. The main pa-rameters of quantitative analysis will involve the number of arrivals in tourist accom-modation units and the actual distances between settlements and archeological sites. For this, a greater number of attributes must be taken into account: the speed of traffic on road segments, the location of road segments - inside or outside the localities, the type of the road etc.

Understanding the degree of accessibility of tourists to the archaeological resources in Dobrogea can help local, regional or even national authorities, but also organizations dealing with tourism management to develop new strategies, more efficient in order to economically capitalize on tourist resources. Quantitative information on tourist ac-cessibility can be constituted in knowledge, which will assist the decisions to develop efficient territorial management strategies specific to the systems with basic tourist function.

The aim of the study is to quantify the role of road accessibility to archaeological resources in the development of local and regional tourism based on the flow of tourists recorded at each archaeological site or museum with archaeological specificity. We will correlate these statistics with the distance between the tourist attractions and the tourists arriving in their vicinity in order to observe possible relationships and influ-ences between them. Distance is a crucial issue in the tourism industry and its impact is significant for both the tourist experience and the success of a tourist destination. In order to better understand the role of distance in tourism success, we will correlate the data on the number of visitors with other parameters that we consider important in the choice of a heritage tourism site: state of conservation, historical age, number of inhab-itants in the locality. The objective of this approach is to highlight and prioritize the main decision factors regarding the visitation of specific archaeological tourist attrac-tions in Dobrogea. The possible conclusions will be useful in drawing new directions for the sustainable development of heritage tourism in the chosen area for those archaeo-logical sites that are not valorized in any way from a tourist point of view.

The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of road accessibility to ar-chaeological resources on the development of local and regional tourism. This will be achieved by analysing the flow of tourists recorded at each archaeological site or mu-seum with archaeological specificity. A correlation will be established between the sta-tistical data and the distance between tourist attractions and the tourists arriving in their vicinity. This will facilitate the observation of any potential relationships and in-fluences between the two variables. In order to gain a deeper insight into the influence of distance on the success of tourism, a correlation will be established between the data on the number of visitors and other parameters that are deemed significant in the se-lection of a heritage tourism site, namely the state of conservation, historical age and the number of inhabitants in the locality. The purpose of this approach is to identify and prioritise the principal factors influencing the decision-making process regarding the choice of archaeological tourist attractions in Dobrogea. The potential outcomes will prove invaluable in charting new avenues for the sustainable advancement of heritage tourism in the selected region, particularly with regard to those archaeological sites that remain underutilised from a tourist perspective.

 

Literature Review (Rows 234 – 301)

The improvement of road transport services has the effect of greatly enhancing accessibility for tourists, particularly in areas where tourism resources are limited [50]. Furthermore, the spatial variation in road accessibility impacts the clustering and distribution of tourist activities [51].

The distance and accessibility of a destination are of significant importance in the context of tourism development, as they exert a considerable influence on the decisions of tourists and the sustainable growth of the destination. Tourists are more inclined to visit areas with convenient accessibility, which can lead to an increase in both the number of tourists and overall tourism revenue [52]. It is crucial to enhance both the physical and digital accessibility of tourist destinations, particularly in areas that are remote and/or environmentally sensitive, while also assessing the impact of such developments on the surrounding ecosystem services. Achieving sustainable tourism growth hinges on these considerations, as does maintaining the long-term resilience of the natural environment [53, 54].

An analysis conducted by Neill et al. (2023) revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the presence of main roads and visitation rates. This finding suggests that enhanced accessibility via these transportation corridors can contribute to an increase in visitation to cultural and archaeological sites [55].

Improved accessibility typically results in increased tourism activity. This relationship is corroborated by a multitude of studies that underscore the beneficial influence of augmented transport and destination accessibility on tourism efficiency and visitor numbers. In Hubei Province, China, an improvement in transport accessibility between 2011 and 2017 was found to correlate with a high and steadily improving efficiency in the tourism sector. The study indicates that improvements in transport infrastructure can positively impact the tourism economy. However, there is a need for more effective spatial matching between tourism efficiency and transport accessibility [56].

The implementation of enhanced road transport services in Nanjing, China, has led to a notable enhancement in tourism accessibility, particularly in regions that are deficient in tourism resources. This suggests that the development of improved transport infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for tourism growth in less developed areas [50, 57].

The accessibility of Europe's road network is of significant importance in enabling tourists to capitalise on the continent's rich archaeological resources. The improvement of road access can markedly enhance the capacity of tourists to visit and interact with these sites, thereby promoting cultural heritage and local development [Giuffrida et al., 2021].

The enhancement of road infrastructure facilitates tourist access to archaeological sites, particularly those situated in remote or hilly regions. By way of example, the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, which is situated in a remote location and therefore difficult to reach, benefits from improved road access, which makes it more accessible to tourists. Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development [58].

Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development. The existence of accessible roads allows tourists to engage more effectively with the cultural heritage of a region, thereby facilitating exploration and appreciation of archaeological sites. Such engagement is of paramount importance for the conservation and promotion of cultural assets. [58].

A significant number of archaeological sites, including the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, are situated in remote or hilly locations that are challenging to access [58]. In order to facilitate participation in cultural experiences, the Via Francigena, a European Cultural Route, advocates for ensuring physical accessibility for all [59].

Such circumstances may act as a deterrent for tourists, given the inconvenience and time required to access these sites. In order to overcome the difficulties presented by inadequate road accessibility, innovative techniques such as 3D surveying, laser scanning, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are being implemented. Such technologies facilitate the creation of virtual tours and digital models, thereby enhancing accessibility to a more diverse audience, including individuals unable to undertake a physical visit. The digitisation of archaeological sites has multiple advantages. It facilitates the conservation and study of these sites, but it also enhances their appeal by providing interactive and informative experiences. Such initiatives may prove an effective means of attracting greater numbers of tourists and local visitors, even in the absence of significant improvements in physical accessibility [58, 60].

 

 

COMMENT 2: The methodology used in this research, the use of GIS and the Huff index, is innovative and contributes to an accurate analysis, underlining the importance of tourism transport infrastructure. However, when using the Huff index, it is not clear whether the data used to measure tourism flows are representative of the region as a whole.  The analysis focuses too much on the role of road infrastructure, ignoring cultural and demographic factors that can also affect tourism flows. A multivariate analysis or regression model could provide a deeper picture of the factors that most influence tourists' decisions and take into account other factors related to tourism.

 

REPLY 2:  Thank you for the suggestion to conduct a multivariate analysis or regression model to delve deeper into the factors influencing tourists' decisions, but due to the limited data available we could not implement this analysis in the present study.

 

 

COMMENT 3: The conclusions of the study are relevant and can be applied in practice, but it would be worthwhile to analyse the conclusions in more detail and relate them to the statistical results. The study also lacks a more in-depth analysis of sustainability aspects, how tourism affects local communities and the environment in the study area, and how well the region can support the growth of tourism in a sustainable way.

 

 

REPLY 3: Thank you for your suggestions. The conclusions have been reformulated/improved with the suggestions given (rows 691 – 765).

 

The analysis of the accessibility and tourist success of archaeological sites in Dobrogea highlights both opportunities and challenges for the development of sustainable tourism. Increasing tourist numbers to these areas can bring significant economic benefits to local communities, but it is essential that this growth is carefully managed to prevent negative impacts on the environment and cultural heritage. For example, excessive tourist pressure can lead to the degradation of archaeological sites if adequate conservation measures are not implemented. In this respect, an integrated approach is essential, including the involvement of local communities in the decision-making process, constant monitoring of the impact of tourism on the environment and heritage using specific sustainability indicators, and the development of regional strategies that prioritize the protection of heritage tourism resources in parallel with increased visitor flows.

The study emphasizes that the state of conservation of archaeological sites is a more important factor than the age of the archaeological site or the distance between the tourist and the tourist objective. The correlation between the number of visitors to archaeological sites and the number of arrivals in tourist accommodation establishments in their vicinity showed that tourists are willing to travel more to see the medieval fortress of Enisala or the archaeological museums of Constanța, where the ruins of the ancient city of Tomis are predominantly on display. Data suggests that tourists are willing to travel longer distances for well-preserved archaeological sites such as Enisala, with the age of the ruins not a major factor in tourist success. Enisala Fortress presents the most recent ruins of the archaeological resources selected for this study, being of medieval age. However, it seems that a significant percentage of people staying more than an hour away choose to visit this tourist attraction. The success of Enisala, which is located relatively far from the main tourist resorts in Dobrogea, overshadows the historical importance of the archaeological resources. The ancient town of Histria, although it has a higher historical value and is closer to towns and villages with a high tourist flow, has in recent years recorded a lower average number of visitors than Enisala.

Road accessibility is another key factor identified as having an important role in the tourism success of the analyzed sites. The road infrastructure by its quality but also by its degree of development has the role of facilitating access and increasing the tourist attractiveness of the area. The importance of road infrastructure is proven by those archaeological sites or museums with archaeological specificity that have been developed in the tourism industry in Dobrogea and which are easily accessible by road, benefiting from parking lots and paved roads. A good example is the Histria fortress which has recorded a lower average number of visitors in recent years compared to Enisala, one of the reasons being the access to the site which is on a paved communal road.

Spatial accessibility can be approached from several points of view: distance, road type, road conditions. These variables were found to be more important than the number of inhabitants in or around the locality where the archaeological resources are located. This is an indication that the majority of tourists who choose to visit the archaeological exhibits arrive from other parts of the region or the country. However, distance does not seem to be a decisive factor in favorable tourism statistics, but rather the position of tourist attractions between the main tourist poles of the region. In fact, the success of the archaeological sites in the central and eastern part of the region suggests that their position between the coastal resorts and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Danube Delta is a very important factor in increasing visitor numbers.

The statistical correlation between the number of visitors to the archaeological resources and the parameters taken into account as factors of their tourist valorization reveals a mismatch between the resident population and the tourist flow. The demographic influence exists, but does not seem to be a main factor for a high number of tourist visits to archaeological sites. Archaeological sites located in rural areas, far away from the major cities of the region have recorded a tourist flow close to or even higher than that of the archaeological resources exploited in the major cities of Dobrogea.

The analysis shows that the potential of the archaeological sites in the center of the region is great, and that those which do not benefit from tourist facilities deserve more attention from the authorities. In this situation, the ancient cities of Ibida, Ulmetum and Argamum are less well-known sites which currently lack adequate tourist facilities. With increased accessibility, specific tourist facilities and appropriate promotion, these sites can become attractive tourist destinations. Moreover, it should be emphasized that in order to make better use of the tourism potential of archaeological sites, decision-makers should consider investments in infrastructure, the implementation of sustainable transport policies, the efficient management of tourist flows and the implementation of measures contributing to the long-term conservation and protection of archaeological sites.

In conclusion, the research carried out shows that factors such as the state of conservation of archaeological sites, road accessibility and strategic geographical location in the region play a key role in the success of tourism of archaeological resources in Dobrogea. The results of the study can be strengthened by applying correlations with other important parameters for the tourism industry and the attractiveness of a tourist destination. Thus, the presented analysis remains open for the identification of methodologies for calculating the real potential of an archaeological site not valorized for tourism on the basis of existing statistical information. By developing effective methods to assess tourism potential in undervalued areas, and implementing integrated promotion and conservation policies, these resources could become a key driver in sustainable tourism.

 

 

COMMENT 4: The authors also make concrete recommendations for infrastructure development and point out regional specificities that could be useful for local authorities. It would be useful to complement the analysis with comparisons of other tourism destinations with similar infrastructure and accessibility challenges and to extend the analysis to other regions to see how the results can be applied.

 

REPLY 4: The given suggestion has been added to the Literature Review section.

 

 

Literature Review (Rows 234 – 301)

The improvement of road transport services has the effect of greatly enhancing accessibility for tourists, particularly in areas where tourism resources are limited [50]. Furthermore, the spatial variation in road accessibility impacts the clustering and distribution of tourist activities [51].

The distance and accessibility of a destination are of significant importance in the context of tourism development, as they exert a considerable influence on the decisions of tourists and the sustainable growth of the destination. Tourists are more inclined to visit areas with convenient accessibility, which can lead to an increase in both the number of tourists and overall tourism revenue [52]. It is crucial to enhance both the physical and digital accessibility of tourist destinations, particularly in areas that are remote and/or environmentally sensitive, while also assessing the impact of such developments on the surrounding ecosystem services. Achieving sustainable tourism growth hinges on these considerations, as does maintaining the long-term resilience of the natural environment [53, 54].

An analysis conducted by Neill et al. (2023) revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the presence of main roads and visitation rates. This finding suggests that enhanced accessibility via these transportation corridors can contribute to an increase in visitation to cultural and archaeological sites [55].

Improved accessibility typically results in increased tourism activity. This relationship is corroborated by a multitude of studies that underscore the beneficial influence of augmented transport and destination accessibility on tourism efficiency and visitor numbers. In Hubei Province, China, an improvement in transport accessibility between 2011 and 2017 was found to correlate with a high and steadily improving efficiency in the tourism sector. The study indicates that improvements in transport infrastructure can positively impact the tourism economy. However, there is a need for more effective spatial matching between tourism efficiency and transport accessibility [56].

The implementation of enhanced road transport services in Nanjing, China, has led to a notable enhancement in tourism accessibility, particularly in regions that are deficient in tourism resources. This suggests that the development of improved transport infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for tourism growth in less developed areas [50, 57].

The accessibility of Europe's road network is of significant importance in enabling tourists to capitalise on the continent's rich archaeological resources. The improvement of road access can markedly enhance the capacity of tourists to visit and interact with these sites, thereby promoting cultural heritage and local development [Giuffrida et al., 2021].

The enhancement of road infrastructure facilitates tourist access to archaeological sites, particularly those situated in remote or hilly regions. By way of example, the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, which is situated in a remote location and therefore difficult to reach, benefits from improved road access, which makes it more accessible to tourists. Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development [58].

Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development. The existence of accessible roads allows tourists to engage more effectively with the cultural heritage of a region, thereby facilitating exploration and appreciation of archaeological sites. Such engagement is of paramount importance for the conservation and promotion of cultural assets. [58].

A significant number of archaeological sites, including the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, are situated in remote or hilly locations that are challenging to access [58]. In order to facilitate participation in cultural experiences, the Via Francigena, a European Cultural Route, advocates for ensuring physical accessibility for all [59].

Such circumstances may act as a deterrent for tourists, given the inconvenience and time required to access these sites. In order to overcome the difficulties presented by inadequate road accessibility, innovative techniques such as 3D surveying, laser scanning, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are being implemented. Such technologies facilitate the creation of virtual tours and digital models, thereby enhancing accessibility to a more diverse audience, including individuals unable to undertake a physical visit. The digitisation of archaeological sites has multiple advantages. It facilitates the conservation and study of these sites, but it also enhances their appeal by providing interactive and informative experiences. Such initiatives may prove an effective means of attracting greater numbers of tourists and local visitors, even in the absence of significant improvements in physical accessibility [58, 60].

 

 

COMMENT 5: The study does not identify research limitations, which reduces the transparency of the analysis, such as the use of other modes of transport (public transport, cycling, etc.) which may also play a role in visitor numbers, and pays little attention to cultural and social factors such as the attitude of local people towards tourism or the impact of local cultural events, which may also have a significant impact on tourism development. It would also be worthwhile to identify further research directions.

 

REPLY 5: The limitations have been added to the Discussion section (rows 622 – 628):

 

The main limitations of the research are given by the fact that the study focused exclusively on road accessibility without taking into account other modes of transport (rail, public, or cycling) that can have an impact on attractiveness. For example, bicycle transport can be an important way to capitalize on these tourist resources, and the configuration of the land in the region is favorable for cycling. It is also difficult to prove the tourist success of an undeveloped archaeological site that benefits from a high degree of road accessibility.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

 

Manuscript ID: sustainability-3272402-peer-review-v1

Thank you for the opportunity to review this paper entitled “The role of road accessibility for tourists in the valorization of archaeological resources in the Dobrogea region, Romania”. I recommend major revision if the author(s) can improve the paper for further consideration. Kindly consider my comments as preliminary and subject to further updates. Here are the reasons behind my decision:

 

Abstract

The abstract clearly states the aim of the study, focusing on the importance of spatial accessibility to archaeological sites for tourism development in the Dobrogea region, and highlights a significant issue in tourism development—how distance affects access to archaeological resources—making the research timely and relevant mentioning the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools adds credibility and indicates a systematic approach to data collection and analysis.

However, the opening sentence is somewhat lengthy and complex. It could be streamlined for better readability. For example, "Given that spatial accessibility to tourist resources is crucial for tourism development, this study analyzes the role of the distance between tourists and archaeological sites in the Dobrogea region of Romania". In addition, while the abstract mentions that the results provide insights into archaeological resources, it would benefit from a brief mention of the key findings or specific parameters that were identified, which would give readers a clearer understanding of the outcomes. Lastly, the abstract discusses the potential use of findings for future planning but could elaborate on how these insights might directly influence tourism strategies or policies. For instance, suggesting specific recommendations for stakeholders could enhance its impact.

Introduction

Research objectives and gaps are not well defined. I recommend splitting the introduction into two sections: "introduction" and "literature review," considering the following factors when doing so:

·         The introduction is quite lengthy and dense. Breaking it into shorter paragraphs would enhance readability and help readers digest the information more easily. Each paragraph should ideally focus on a specific aspect of the discussion.

·         While the introduction outlines various factors affecting tourism, the specific aims of the study could be stated more clearly and succinctly. Consider summarizing the main research questions or hypotheses in a standalone statement for better clarity.

·         Some concepts, such as the importance of road accessibility, are repeated throughout the section. Streamlining these mentions would help maintain focus and avoid redundancy.

 ·         The introduction could benefit from including any preliminary insights or expected outcomes based on the literature review. This would provide readers with a clearer sense of the study’s contributions.

·         The transition to discussing the study's aims could be smoother. A clear lead-in that connects the identified gaps in research to the specific objectives of this study would improve flow.

 Research Methodology

·         This section also could benefit from clearer organization. Subheadings for different subsections (e.g., "Study Area," "Data Collection," "Data Modeling") would improve readability and help guide the reader through the methodology.

·         While field research is mentioned, further details on how observations were conducted and what specific data were collected would strengthen this part. Clarifying the nature of the observations (e.g., accessibility challenges) would provide more context.

·         When discussing the distances calculated, it would be helpful to specify the methods used for measuring these distances (e.g., road network analysis vs. straight-line distances) to enhance methodological clarity.

·         Mentioning the creation of maps is excellent, but the significance of these maps in relation to the research findings could be highlighted more. Explain in more details how they will be used to interpret data or support conclusions.

 

Discussion

More precise discussion is needed to reflect how exactly the findings contribute to the theory and overall body of knowledge. What new information are you providing to tourism industry professionals and archaeological sites responsibles that they are not already aware of?

 

Implications

The practical contributions of the study need to be enriched with specific and more implications to practice. What specific actions can archaeological sites responsibles take to enhance road accessibility for tourists? Providing a clearer link between the research findings and actionable recommendations would strengthen the practical relevance.

Limitations and further research avenues

This part is missing. I recommend adding it.

References

Out of 61 references used by the authors, only 2 references in 2020 and 5 references in 2021. However, reference list must be updated and enriched.

 

 

Author Response

Thank you very much for taking the time to review this manuscript. Please find the detailed responses below and the corresponding revisions/corrections highlighted in the re-submitted files

COMMENT 1: Abstract - The abstract clearly states the aim of the study, focusing on the importance of spatial accessibility to archaeological sites for tourism development in the Dobrogea region, and highlights a significant issue in tourism development—how distance affects access to archaeological resources—making the research timely and relevant mentioning the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools adds credibility and indicates a systematic approach to data collection and analysis.

 

However, the opening sentence is somewhat lengthy and complex. It could be streamlined for better readability. For example, "Given that spatial accessibility to tourist resources is crucial for tourism development, this study analyzes the role of the distance between tourists and archaeological sites in the Dobrogea region of Romania". In addition, while the abstract mentions that the results provide insights into archaeological resources, it would benefit from a brief mention of the key findings or specific parameters that were identified, which would give readers a clearer understanding of the outcomes. Lastly, the abstract discusses the potential use of findings for future planning but could elaborate on how these insights might directly influence tourism strategies or policies. For instance, suggesting specific recommendations for stakeholders could enhance its impact.

 

 

REPLY 1: Thanks for your suggestions.We made the necessary changes, you can see them below, highlighted in red.

 

A starting from the fact that the spatial accessibility to tourist resources is one of the most im-portant factors in the development of tourism, we propose an analysis aiming to quantify the role of the distance between tourists and archaeological sites in the Romanian region Dobrogea. Given that spatial accessibility to tourist resources is crucial for tourism development, this study analyzes the role of the distance between tourists and archaeological sites in the Dobrogea region of Romania. This study highlights the impact of road distance in the valorization of the main archaeological sites in the chosen area, the results obtained providing information on the main parameters of archaeological resources in achieving tourism success. These data will be important clues in the future design of plans for the valorization of those archaeological sites not yet valorized from the tourist point of view. Spatial data modeling was performed using specific Geo-graphic Information Systems tools, which allowed us to extract the necessary information. By corroborating the results of the geospatial analysis with the statistical ones, we were able to draw conclusions regarding the tourist behavior in the region and the decision factors of tourists in visiting the ancient or medieval ruins in Dobrogea. Our analysis shows a significant correlation between the road accessibility of archaeological sites and their tourist attractiveness, with a particular influence of their location in relation to the main tourist areas of interest in the region. The study area has a rich history that has left behind a high density of ancient fortresses, citadels and cities, which are relatively under-utilized for tourism. Heritage tourism has thus lagged behind coastal tourism, which attracts the highest number of tourists in the country. A better knowledge of the factors that favor the development of heritage tourism is needed in order to expand the region's tourist offer. Our recommendations aim to improve the accessibility and attractiveness of these archaeological sites by investing in essential infrastructure, developing sustainable transportation policies and specific tourism facilities, and implementing a regional strategy to enhance and protect them, which will ultimately increase their contribution to local economies.

 

 

COMMENT 2: Introduction: Research objectives and gaps are not well defined. I recommend splitting the introduction into two sections: "introduction" and "literature review," considering the following factors when doing so:

• The introduction is quite lengthy and dense. Breaking it into shorter paragraphs would enhance readability and help readers digest the information more easily. Each paragraph should ideally focus on a specific aspect of the discussion.
• While the introduction outlines various factors affecting tourism, the specific aims of the study could be stated more clearly and succinctly. Consider summarizing the main research questions or hypotheses in a standalone statement for better clarity.
• Some concepts, such as the importance of road accessibility, are repeated throughout the section. Streamlining these mentions would help maintain focus and avoid redundancy.
• The introduction could benefit from including any preliminary insights or expected outcomes based on the literature review. This would provide readers with a clearer sense of the study’s contributions.
• The transition to discussing the study's aims could be smoother. A clear lead-in that connects the identified gaps in research to the specific objectives of this study would improve flow.

 

 

REPLY 2: Thank you for your suggestions, we have redone the introduction and added the Literature review section.

 

Introduction (Rows 130 – 233)

Distance and accessibility are fundamental attributes for building strategies to harness the potential of tourism resources, which political authorities or management organizations must take into account to give realism to strategic projections [1,2]. Along with other important factors, accessibility is an important variable in assessing the spatial attractiveness of a place with tourist potential [3], especially for rural areas [4], where most of the archaeological resources analyzed in this study are located.

Transportation is one of the fundamental prerequisites for tourism to exist. It is a key element that connects tourists with the destinations to be reached. Although the link between tourism and transportation has been extensively examined previously [5, 6, 7, 8, 9], there are still significant gaps in this research topic.

The valorization of archaeological resources is significantly influenced by road accessibility for tourists. This includes the ease with which tourists can reach these re-sources and the role of transportation infrastructure in enhancing the attractiveness and sustainability of tourist destinations.

The role of road accessibility in the valorization of archaeological resources is multifaceted. It involves assessing and improving the vulnerability of road networks to ensure socio-economic stability, designing inclusive and sustainable tourism infra-structure, and managing spatial accessibility to balance the distribution of tourism demand. These factors collectively contribute to improving the overall tourism experi-ence and the sustainable development of tourist destinations.

There are studies that have tried to quantify the tourist potential and look for ways to develop local and regional tourism in our study area [10,11], but the use of geospatial technology has been little used. Tourism can significantly contribute to local economic development, increasing the living standards of the region's inhabitants. The authen-ticity and historical value of archeological resources can motivate tourists to travel long distances to experience places reminiscent of ancient times [12–14]. The region proposed for the study includes two counties located at opposite poles in terms of revenue specific to the tourism sector. Thus, Constanța is one of the counties with the highest incomes of employees in the tourism industry, while Tulcea County is at the opposite end of the ranking [15]. However, tourism resources are widespread in both counties and the po-tential for capitalizing on them is high, especially in terms of historical and cultural value.

Tourism is an economic sector that can significantly contribute to the local eco-nomic development of rural areas [16–20], the basic condition being the application of strategies for capitalizing on tourist resources in the integrated projection of local eco-nomic development. It can be appreciated that making the tools for strategic planning of the capitalization of tourist resources in the local and regional economy is imperative.

The efficiency of the territorial systems management with a basic tourist function is conditioned by the understanding of the characteristics of the resources available in a geographical space, the GIS analysis providing sufficient information for an objective approach [21–26], thus obtaining a superior knowledge, which will help the authorities to economically capitalize on tourist resources.

The importance of accessibility and distance in the tourist capitalization of re-sources is achieved through specific modeling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) offer today the most important tools for analyzing and modeling the spatial dimension of tourism development [27–33]. In the specialized literature there are numerous ap-proaches regarding the infrastructure planning support, necessary for the sustainable development of tourism [34], the objective of these researches being to increase the degree of accessibility for tourists. Distance in the tourism industry is important for several reasons: accessibility of destinations, travel time, travel cost, environmental impact.

GIS modeling is, also, a useful tool in local marketing and tourism marketing, in the specific literature being numerous GIS modeling used in the audit of local resources in the perspective of their economic recovery [34–38].

Geographic Information Systems (G.I.S.) are important means of spatial modeling the accessibility of a place, many studies using this technology to calculate the degree of accessibility of the population to various facilities: parks [39], shops [40], medical units [41–43] etc. GIS is also the methodological basis for studying the accessibility in tourism [44–46], with many studies based on Network Analysis [47–49]. The analysis of geo-graphical accessibility taking into account a communication routes network is more complex than those which uses Euclidean distances between different points of interest. Unlike other studies involving GIS analysis in quantifying accessibility to tourism re-sources, this research focuses on distances measured in units of time. The main pa-rameters of quantitative analysis will involve the number of arrivals in tourist accom-modation units and the actual distances between settlements and archeological sites. For this, a greater number of attributes must be taken into account: the speed of traffic on road segments, the location of road segments - inside or outside the localities, the type of the road etc.

Understanding the degree of accessibility of tourists to the archaeological resources in Dobrogea can help local, regional or even national authorities, but also organizations dealing with tourism management to develop new strategies, more efficient in order to economically capitalize on tourist resources. Quantitative information on tourist ac-cessibility can be constituted in knowledge, which will assist the decisions to develop efficient territorial management strategies specific to the systems with basic tourist function.

The aim of the study is to quantify the role of road accessibility to archaeological resources in the development of local and regional tourism based on the flow of tourists recorded at each archaeological site or museum with archaeological specificity. We will correlate these statistics with the distance between the tourist attractions and the tourists arriving in their vicinity in order to observe possible relationships and influ-ences between them. Distance is a crucial issue in the tourism industry and its impact is significant for both the tourist experience and the success of a tourist destination. In order to better understand the role of distance in tourism success, we will correlate the data on the number of visitors with other parameters that we consider important in the choice of a heritage tourism site: state of conservation, historical age, number of inhab-itants in the locality. The objective of this approach is to highlight and prioritize the main decision factors regarding the visitation of specific archaeological tourist attrac-tions in Dobrogea. The possible conclusions will be useful in drawing new directions for the sustainable development of heritage tourism in the chosen area for those archaeo-logical sites that are not valorized in any way from a tourist point of view.

The objective of this study is to quantify the impact of road accessibility to ar-chaeological resources on the development of local and regional tourism. This will be achieved by analysing the flow of tourists recorded at each archaeological site or mu-seum with archaeological specificity. A correlation will be established between the sta-tistical data and the distance between tourist attractions and the tourists arriving in their vicinity. This will facilitate the observation of any potential relationships and in-fluences between the two variables. In order to gain a deeper insight into the influence of distance on the success of tourism, a correlation will be established between the data on the number of visitors and other parameters that are deemed significant in the se-lection of a heritage tourism site, namely the state of conservation, historical age and the number of inhabitants in the locality. The purpose of this approach is to identify and prioritise the principal factors influencing the decision-making process regarding the choice of archaeological tourist attractions in Dobrogea. The potential outcomes will prove invaluable in charting new avenues for the sustainable advancement of heritage tourism in the selected region, particularly with regard to those archaeological sites that remain underutilised from a tourist perspective.

 

Literature Review (Rows 234 – 301)

The improvement of road transport services has the effect of greatly enhancing accessibility for tourists, particularly in areas where tourism resources are limited [50]. Furthermore, the spatial variation in road accessibility impacts the clustering and distribution of tourist activities [51].

The distance and accessibility of a destination are of significant importance in the context of tourism development, as they exert a considerable influence on the decisions of tourists and the sustainable growth of the destination. Tourists are more inclined to visit areas with convenient accessibility, which can lead to an increase in both the number of tourists and overall tourism revenue [52]. It is crucial to enhance both the physical and digital accessibility of tourist destinations, particularly in areas that are remote and/or environmentally sensitive, while also assessing the impact of such developments on the surrounding ecosystem services. Achieving sustainable tourism growth hinges on these considerations, as does maintaining the long-term resilience of the natural environment [53, 54].

An analysis conducted by Neill et al. (2023) revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between the presence of main roads and visitation rates. This finding suggests that enhanced accessibility via these transportation corridors can contribute to an increase in visitation to cultural and archaeological sites [55].

Improved accessibility typically results in increased tourism activity. This relationship is corroborated by a multitude of studies that underscore the beneficial influence of augmented transport and destination accessibility on tourism efficiency and visitor numbers. In Hubei Province, China, an improvement in transport accessibility between 2011 and 2017 was found to correlate with a high and steadily improving efficiency in the tourism sector. The study indicates that improvements in transport infrastructure can positively impact the tourism economy. However, there is a need for more effective spatial matching between tourism efficiency and transport accessibility [56].

The implementation of enhanced road transport services in Nanjing, China, has led to a notable enhancement in tourism accessibility, particularly in regions that are deficient in tourism resources. This suggests that the development of improved transport infrastructure can serve as a catalyst for tourism growth in less developed areas [50, 57].

The accessibility of Europe's road network is of significant importance in enabling tourists to capitalise on the continent's rich archaeological resources. The improvement of road access can markedly enhance the capacity of tourists to visit and interact with these sites, thereby promoting cultural heritage and local development [Giuffrida et al., 2021].

The enhancement of road infrastructure facilitates tourist access to archaeological sites, particularly those situated in remote or hilly regions. By way of example, the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, which is situated in a remote location and therefore difficult to reach, benefits from improved road access, which makes it more accessible to tourists. Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development [58].

Also, improved road accessibility can result in an increase in tourist traffic, which in turn can have a positive impact on the local economy. The digitalisation and enhanced accessibility of sites such as the churches of San Nicola and San Basilio in Motta S. Agata are intended to attract a greater number of tourists and local visitors, thereby contributing to local development. The existence of accessible roads allows tourists to engage more effectively with the cultural heritage of a region, thereby facilitating exploration and appreciation of archaeological sites. Such engagement is of paramount importance for the conservation and promotion of cultural assets. [58].

A significant number of archaeological sites, including the ancient settlement of Motta S. Agata in Italy, are situated in remote or hilly locations that are challenging to access [58]. In order to facilitate participation in cultural experiences, the Via Francigena, a European Cultural Route, advocates for ensuring physical accessibility for all [59].

Such circumstances may act as a deterrent for tourists, given the inconvenience and time required to access these sites. In order to overcome the difficulties presented by inadequate road accessibility, innovative techniques such as 3D surveying, laser scanning, and Geographic Information System (GIS) applications are being implemented. Such technologies facilitate the creation of virtual tours and digital models, thereby enhancing accessibility to a more diverse audience, including individuals unable to undertake a physical visit. The digitisation of archaeological sites has multiple advantages. It facilitates the conservation and study of these sites, but it also enhances their appeal by providing interactive and informative experiences. Such initiatives may prove an effective means of attracting greater numbers of tourists and local visitors, even in the absence of significant improvements in physical accessibility [58, 60].

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMENT 3: Research Methodology

 

• This section also could benefit from clearer organization. Subheadings for different subsections (e.g., "Study Area," "Data Collection," "Data Modeling") would improve readability and help guide the reader through the methodology.
• While field research is mentioned, further details on how observations were conducted and what specific data were collected would strengthen this part. Clarifying the nature of the observations (e.g., accessibility challenges) would provide more context.
• When discussing the distances calculated, it would be helpful to specify the methods used for measuring these distances (e.g., road network analysis vs. straight-line distances) to enhance methodological clarity.
• Mentioning the creation of maps is excellent, but the significance of these maps in relation to the research findings could be highlighted more. Explain in more details how they will be used to interpret data or support conclusions.

 

REPLY 3:

• We have organized this section in a clearer way, we have added subheadings for the methodology sections: 1. Study area (Row 303 ), 3.2. Data (Row 311) and 3.3. Data modelling (Row 344)
• We have added the following paragraph to the Methodology, section 2. Data: Using an SUV vehicle, we were able to access archaeological sites on unpaved roads with poor accessibility for conventional cars. This choice of means of transportation allowed us to explore a wider range of sites, including some that would have been inaccessible by other types of vehicles (Rows 339 – 342).
• We have added the following paragraph to the Methodology, section 2. Data: The distances were measured automatically using QGIS, then verified with Google Maps, which validated the results (Rows 335 – 336).
• We have added the following paragraph to the Methodology, section 3. Data modelling: This map gives an overview of the spatial relationship between the selected archaeo-logical sites and the number of tourists in the settlements of Dobrogea (Rows 352 – 354).

 

 

COMMENT 4: Discussion - More precise discussion is needed to reflect how exactly the findings contribute to the theory and overall body of knowledge. What new information are you providing to tourism industry professionals and archaeological sites responsibles that they are not already aware of?

 

 

REPLY 4: Thank you for your suggestion.The discussions have been reformulated (rows 568 – 636):

 

The present study demonstrates, like other mentioned studies [34–38, 62] that GIS is an important means of analyzing tourism, the spatial accessibility being quantified more eficiently. Geographic Information Systems have proven to be a useful tool in quantifying tourism potential based on spatial accessibility in important studies. Rele-vant examples include research conducted by Lee et al. [20], who used GIS to classify rural settlements according to their tourism potential given the degree of spatial acces-sibility. Wang et al. [47] analyzed the relationship between tourism efficiency and tourist accessibility for administrative units in Hubei, China and Masson & Petiot [63] highlighted, through their study, the impact of road infrastructure on tourist accessi-bility and implicitly on the attractiveness in tourism. In the same direction, we used GIS to classify the archaeological sites in our study area according to the degree of spatial accessibility of tourists through the road network. In the case of Dobrogea, we have shown that the degree of road accessibility for tourists is one of the main factors in the tourist success of archaeological sites. The additional analysis of the impact of the new bridge over the Danube that connect Dobrogea with the rest of the country showed the importance of new road infrastructure in increasing the accessibility of tourist attrac-tions in a region. Likewise, archaeological sites that have tourist facilities are connected to the road network, and the type of road to which they are connected seems not to be a very important issue as long as there are paved roads. More important seems to be the position of the site in relation to the road axes of tourist travel in the region: near the A2 highway and in the direction of the city of Constanta-Tulcea city. Thus, we have shown that an adequate road infrastructure can facilitate access to less promoted archaeological sites, thus contributing to the diversification of the tourist offer.

From a methodological point of view, the use of the adapted David Huff index has brought a novelty to the analysis of tourist accessibility in Romania. Unlike in other research, in which the David Huff index was used [24,35], it integrates a number of variables, such as the number of arrivals in accommodation establishments and the road distance calculated with the Network Analysis tool from QGIS. This approach provides a practical method for quantifying tourism accessibility that could be applied at the na-tional level as well as in other similar regions for a better sustainable exploitation of tourism resources. Accessibility analyzes can complement known methodologies for analyzing the complexity, fragmentation or concentration of resources in a geographical area, approaches we encounter in the specialized literature [64–72].

The information provided through the study on the impact of road infrastructure on the tourism success of archaeological sites may prove useful for tourism industry professionals, local authorities, and site managers. An example is the archaeological sites of Ibida, Argamum, Ulmetum which, although accessible, are unattractive and therefore do not generate income due to the lack of adequate facilities. Decision-makers can use the results to prioritise investment in secondary road infrastructure and to add new locations to existing tourist circuits. The study also emphasizes that the typology of the road network plays a secondary role compared to the location of archaeological sites in relation to the main axes of tourist circulation. This can be an important element in the design of tourism promotion and development strategies.

As a result of the aforementioned, several future research directions can be iden-tified. Thus, multimodal accessibility can be one direction by integrating other modes of transport, such as public transport or cycling, into the analysis. For example, cycling routes can be an important way to capitalize on tourism resources, including from the perspective of sustainable tourism development [73–75]. The analysis of the role of so-cio-economic factors such as the attitude of locals towards tourism or the impact of local cultural events should not be neglected as they can give more accuracy to the research and have a significant role in tourism development [76–79]. Likewise, the role that ac-cessibility plays in the development of sustainable tourism may be another promising research direction by investigating its role in the development of sustainable archaeo-logical tourism [80–81].

The main limitations of the research are given by the fact that the study focused exclusively on road accessibility without taking into account other modes of transport (rail, public, or cycling) that can have an impact on attractiveness. For example, bicycle transport can be an important way to capitalize on these tourist resources, and the configuration of the land in the region is favorable for cycling. It is also difficult to prove the tourist success of an undeveloped archaeological site that benefits from a high de-gree of road accessibility.

In addition, socio-cultural factors such as local attitudes or the impact of local cultural events, which can have a significant impact on tourism development, have not been analyzed.

Quantifying the role of tourist accessibility to archaeological resources in Dobrogea is a useful approach to decision makers in order to develop pragmatic strategic planning tools. The obtained results open new perspectives on future research to verify the ar-chaeological tourism potential of the Dobrogea region in order to make the best eco-nomic use.

 

 

COMMENT 5: Implications - The practical contributions of the study need to be enriched with specific and more implications to practice. What specific actions can archaeological sites responsibles take to enhance road accessibility for tourists? Providing a clearer link between the research findings and actionable recommendations would strengthen the practical relevance.

 

 

REPLY 5:  This part has been introduced in the conclusions section, which have been modified/reworded:

The analysis of the accessibility and tourist success of archaeological sites in Dobrogea highlights both opportunities and challenges for the development of sustainable tourism. Increasing tourist numbers to these areas can bring significant economic benefits to local communities, but it is essential that this growth is carefully managed to prevent negative impacts on the environment and cultural heritage. For example, excessive tourist pressure can lead to the degradation of archaeological sites if adequate conservation measures are not implemented. In this respect, an integrated approach is essential, including the involvement of local communities in the decision-making process, constant monitoring of the impact of tourism on the environment and heritage using specific sustainability indicators, and the development of regional strategies that prioritize the protection of heritage tourism resources in parallel with increased visitor flows.

The study emphasizes that the state of conservation of archaeological sites is a more important factor than the age of the archaeological site or the distance between the tourist and the tourist objective. The correlation between the number of visitors to archaeological sites and the number of arrivals in tourist accommodation establishments in their vicinity showed that tourists are willing to travel more to see the medieval fortress of Enisala or the archaeological museums of Constanța, where the ruins of the ancient city of Tomis are predominantly on display. Data suggests that tourists are willing to travel longer distances for well-preserved archaeological sites such as Enisala, with the age of the ruins not a major factor in tourist success. Enisala Fortress presents the most recent ruins of the archaeological resources selected for this study, being of medieval age. However, it seems that a significant percentage of people staying more than an hour away choose to visit this tourist attraction. The success of Enisala, which is located relatively far from the main tourist resorts in Dobrogea, overshadows the historical importance of the archaeological resources. The ancient town of Histria, although it has a higher historical value and is closer to towns and villages with a high tourist flow, has in recent years recorded a lower average number of visitors than Enisala.

Road accessibility is another key factor identified as having an important role in the tourism success of the analyzed sites. The road infrastructure by its quality but also by its degree of development has the role of facilitating access and increasing the tourist attractiveness of the area. The importance of road infrastructure is proven by those archaeological sites or museums with archaeological specificity that have been developed in the tourism industry in Dobrogea and which are easily accessible by road, benefiting from parking lots and paved roads. A good example is the Histria fortress which has recorded a lower average number of visitors in recent years compared to Enisala, one of the reasons being the access to the site which is on a paved communal road.

Spatial accessibility can be approached from several points of view: distance, road type, road conditions. These variables were found to be more important than the number of inhabitants in or around the locality where the archaeological resources are located. This is an indication that the majority of tourists who choose to visit the archaeological exhibits arrive from other parts of the region or the country. However, distance does not seem to be a decisive factor in favorable tourism statistics, but rather the position of tourist attractions between the main tourist poles of the region. In fact, the success of the archaeological sites in the central and eastern part of the region suggests that their position between the coastal resorts and the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Danube Delta is a very important factor in increasing visitor numbers.

The statistical correlation between the number of visitors to the archaeological resources and the parameters taken into account as factors of their tourist valorization reveals a mismatch between the resident population and the tourist flow. The demographic influence exists, but does not seem to be a main factor for a high number of tourist visits to archaeological sites. Archaeological sites located in rural areas, far away from the major cities of the region have recorded a tourist flow close to or even higher than that of the archaeological resources exploited in the major cities of Dobrogea.

The analysis shows that the potential of the archaeological sites in the center of the region is great, and that those which do not benefit from tourist facilities deserve more attention from the authorities. In this situation, the ancient cities of Ibida, Ulmetum and Argamum are less well-known sites which currently lack adequate tourist facilities. With increased accessibility, specific tourist facilities and appropriate promotion, these sites can become attractive tourist destinations. Moreover, it should be emphasized that in order to make better use of the tourism potential of archaeological sites, decision-makers should consider investments in infrastructure, the implementation of sustainable transport policies, the efficient management of tourist flows and the implementation of measures contributing to the long-term conservation and protection of archaeological sites.

In conclusion, the research carried out shows that factors such as the state of conservation of archaeological sites, road accessibility and strategic geographical location in the region play a key role in the success of tourism of archaeological resources in Dobrogea. The results of the study can be strengthened by applying correlations with other important parameters for the tourism industry and the attractiveness of a tourist destination. Thus, the presented analysis remains open for the identification of methodologies for calculating the real potential of an archaeological site not valorized for tourism on the basis of existing statistical information. By developing effective methods to assess tourism potential in undervalued areas, and implementing integrated promotion and conservation policies, these resources could become a key driver in sustainable tourism.

 

 

COMMENT 6: Limitations and further research avenues - This part is missing. I recommend adding it.

 

REPLY 6: Thanks for the recommendation. The limitations have been added to the Discussion section (rows 622 – 628):

 

The main limitations of the research are given by the fact that the study focused exclusively on road accessibility without taking into account other modes of transport (rail, public, or cycling) that can have an impact on attractiveness. For example, bicycle transport can be an important way to capitalize on these tourist resources, and the configuration of the land in the region is favorable for cycling. It is also difficult to prove the tourist success of an undeveloped archaeological site that benefits from a high degree of road accessibility.

 

 

COMMENT 7: References - Out of 61 references used by the authors, only 2 references in 2020 and 5 references in 2021. However, reference list must be updated and enriched.

 

 

REPLY 7: Thank you for your suggestion. More references have been added for a total of 81 references.

 

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Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Practical implications and study limitations & further research avenues needs to be presented in a separate sections not as a paragraph/s in either discussion or conclusion!

Author Response

First of all, on behalf of all the co-authors, we would like to thank the reviewer for his very valuable suggestions and comments, which helped to improve our manuscript.

 

COMMENT 1: Practical implications and study limitations & further research avenues needs to be presented in a separate sections not as a paragraph/s in either discussion or conclusion!

Reply 1: According to the recommendation, limitations and future research directions were listed in a separate section (rows 611 – 639).

6. Study limitations & further research avenues

As a result of the aforementioned, several future research directions can be identified. Thus, multimodal accessibility can be one direction by integrating other modes of transport, such as public transport or cycling, into the analysis. For example, cycling routes can be an important way to capitalize on tourism resources, including from the perspective of sustainable tourism development [73–75]. The analysis of the role of socioeconomic factors such as the attitude of locals towards tourism or the impact of local cultural events should not be neglected as they can give more accuracy to the research and have a significant role in tourism development [76–79]. Likewise, the role that ac-accessibility plays in the development of sustainable tourism may be another promising research direction by investigating its role in the development of sustainable archaeological tourism [80–81].

The main limitations of the research are given by the fact that the study focused exclusively on road accessibility without taking into account other modes of transport (rail, public, or cycling) that can have an impact on attractiveness. For example, bicycle transport can be an important way to capitalize on these tourist resources, and the configuration of the land in the region is favorable for cycling. It is also difficult to prove the tourist success of an undeveloped archaeological site that benefits from a high degree of road accessibility.

In addition, socio-cultural factors such as local attitudes or the impact of local cultural events, which can have a significant impact on tourism development, have not been analyzed.

The results of the study can be strengthened by applying correlations with other important parameters for the tourism industry and the attractiveness of a tourist destination. Thus, the presented analysis remains open for the identification of method-ologies for calculating the real potential of an archaeological site not valorized for tourism on the basis of existing statistical information. By developing effective methods to assess tourism potential in undervalued areas, and implementing integrated promotion and conservation policies, these resources could become a key driver in sustainable tourism.