THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF CAPITALIZING ON TOURISM POTENTIAL AT LOCAL COMMUNITY LEVEL

Local economic development means increasing the economic competitiveness of a local area in order to improve its economic future. Developing the local economy and improving competitiveness are crucial because the success of communities depends on their adaptation to the changes taking place in the external environment. In this context, tourism has a considerable impact on the economies, societies and cultures of different countries or regions. Its action is manifested in a multitude of plans, from stimulating economic growth to improving the social structure, from the superior valorisation of natural-material resources to the improvement of living conditions. The present paper aims at outlining the main aspects resulting from the hypothesis that tourism makes a significant contribution to local development