NATIONAL PARKS’ WEB-BASED COMMUNICATION WITH VISITORS. EVIDENCE FROM PIATRA CRAIULUI NATIONAL PARK IN ROMANIA AND PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARK IN CROATIA

Abstract

Due to the advance of modern information and communication technologies (ICT), communication processes are strongly linked to the use of Web 2.0 tools. This offers unique and innovative opportunities for information and communication work for protected areas. Considering this trend, the aim of the present article is to analyze and compare the web-based communication of two national parks: Piatra Craiului National Park (PCNP) in Romania and Paklenica National Park (PNP) in Croatia. Based on previous studies, 36 variables were used for the evaluation of the two national parks’ websites, grouped in five categories: 1) Tourism details and travel aids; 2) Visual, textual information and presentation style; 3) Navigation and interactivity; 4) Advertising; 5) Social media. Findings can be helpful for the managers of the two national parks in order to optimize their websites and improve their effectiveness.