Wine tourism as a vector of local and regional development. Case study Prahova County

Wine and gastronomic tourism is now emerging as one of the most promising segments of the tourism sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the Romanian wine heritage, with an impressive historical past, to highlight the considerable potential regarding the development of wine tourism in Romania, the factors that attract and motivate this alternative form of tourism, respectively the efficiency of a network of thematic routes in Dealu Mare vineyard. The study performs a radiography of wine tourism in Dealu Mare region, of the ways in which thematic routes, such as the Wine Road, 14 years after launch, can contribute to the socio-economic development of the Sub-Carpathian region of Prahova, through moderate investments and rapid results. The goals of local development are to encourage an attractive territory and a well-defined identity, with a competitive and efficient agriculture and rural economy with respect for the environment.