TOURIST PERCEPTION OF THE „NIGHT OF THE MUSEUMS” EVENT. CASE STUDY IN ORADEA MUNICIPALITY, ROMANIA

Abstract

Cultural events have a significant influence on the local economy. Cultural festivals can attract tourists, extend the tourist season and add vitality to a city. However, there is relatively little research on how festivals influence a destination's tourist experience or outcomes, such as satisfaction. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the tourist perception of the participants on the Night of the Museums event held in Oradea municipality, Bihor County, Romania, assuming that a good tourist perception among the population can represent an element of identity for a destination, thus contributing to the increase of its capacity to attract tourists. The results emphasize the positive effects at the socio-cultural level. The festival provides multiple possibilities to spend free time in a pleasant way, it sustains the development of cultural life, and it improves the educational and the cultural level of community.