THE ROLE OF RURAL TOURISM FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

If rural tourism as a new concept is considered to have economically, socio-culturally and environmentally positive impacts on the region, it is clear that it is definitely necessary to utilize rural tourism potential. For better results the whole range of the stakeholders have to participate in the planning stage. Slow and stable steps are needed for this kind of planning in order conflicts and mistakes to be avoided. Rural tourism plans are the parts of a general rural region development plans and carrying out the needed research activities (incl. Marketing studies) is the duty of the official administrative units, which have the responsibility of sustainable rural development or rural tourism development.