An overview of rural tourism in Croatia and Serbia

Abstract

© University of the Aegean. In the tourism development plans in Croatia and Serbia, rural tourism has a place of special importance. Taking into account the total population of rural areas, total surface area they occupy in these countries and the presence of diverse tourism potential (preserved nature and cultural heritage), rural tourism could become a powerful tool in achieving the goals of sustainable development of rural areas. Regardless of all social differences between Croatia and Serbia, it can be assumed that rural areas share common problems. They are exposed to depopulation, slow economic development and poorly developed infrastructure. There is a dilemma that raises the question of how much these two countries in their joint tourism development initiatives can contribute to resolving problems of rural areas, and in particular their border regions.