INDICATORS OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL AREAS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Abstract

The important role that contemporary tourism plays in the development of receptive areas determines it as the generator of economic growth, employment and numerous positive socio-cultural changes. This role of tourism is especially important in rural areas, which usually face depopulation, low job opportunities, low diversification of economic activities and other economic and social problems. The Republic of Serbia, with predominantly rural structure of settlements, population and territory, has excellent basis for the development of rural tourism. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the achieved level of this development, by monitoring the available indicators of tourist traffic and quantitative data on available accommodation capacities in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia. The research results indicate a tendency of increase in tourist' arrivals, overnight stays and available accommodation capacities in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia, while the average length of stay of tourists remains almost unchanged during the observed period.