GeoJournal of Tourism and Geosites Year VII, no. 1, vol. 13, May 2014, p.52-65 ISSN 2065-0817, E-ISSN 2065-1198 Article no. 13105-150 http://gtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/ THE ROLE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL LANDSCAPE RESTORATION IN BUILDING THE LOCAL TOURISM IMAGE: THE GUMELNIğA ARCHAEO - PARK (DRĂGĂNEŞTI - OLT, ROMANIA) Iuliana VIJULIE * University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Regional Geography and Environmental Department, 1, N. Balcescu Avenue, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: iuliana.vijulie@yahoo.com Elena MATEI University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Human and Economic Department, 1, N. Balcescu Avenue, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: e_matei58@yahoo.com Laura TÎRLĂ University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Regional Geography and Environmental Department, 1, N. Balcescu Avenue, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: tirla@geo.unibuc.ro Gabriela MANEA University of Bucharest, Faculty of Geography, Regional Geography and Environmental Department, 1, N. Balcescu Avenue, Bucharest, Romania, e-mail: maneagabriela2002@yahoo.com Traian ZORZOLIU Boianu Plain Museum, 360, N. Titulescu Street, Drăgăneşti-Olt, Romania, e-mail: traianzorzoliu@yahoo.com Abstract: The study is based on the current global trend of archaeo-landscape studies aimed at reconstructing some relevant sites through experimental archaeology and encouraging their use for scientific and tourist purposes. In the town of Drăgăneşti-Olt, due to the involvement of local authorities and the Boianu Plain Museum, a Gumelniţa Culture tell site was reconstructed. The study aims to establish if this unique Romanian archaeo-park can build the cultural identity of the town, assuring the foundation for building a local tourism image. Methods used were based on field research and survey as a tool to analyse people’s perception. The data was processed in QSR NVivo 10. The archaeo-park is currently unique in Romania and the several reconstructed pile dwellings depict the living conditions of the Neolithic era. Each detail is based on the rigorous archaeological research and discoveries in the nearby tell, also sharing common features and elements with similar settlements in Europe. The results of semi-structured interviews show that most of the respondents view the museum of Boianu Plain as the regional center of interest, a major element of the town tourism identity. Consequently, townspeople consider it useful for educational tourism or scientific interest, but it needs serious efforts to market it as a cultural image of the town along with Boianu Plain Museum. * Corresponding author