THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIA

Abstract

Tourism largely exploites resources that are not renewable. Due to the mass tourist travel destinations, the environment suffers negative consequences of such development. All these reasons cause the development of sustainable forms of tourism, in those aspects which do not cause the pollution of nature and its resources. The implementation of the concept of sustainable development of rural tourism has ensured that this form of tourism has nowdays become specific market niche, which attrackts tourists to spend time in rural environment. Rural tourism contributes to the revitalization of the village through the involvement of rural households in the provision of services to tourists, marketing of agricultural products on the tourist market as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and traditions of the village. The potential of rural tourism is also reflected in the preservation of natural resources. This paper analyzes the current situation of rural tourism of the Republic of Serbia with an emphasis on the examples of good practice. With the aim of emphasizing the opportunities for further development, the authors disclose the example of rural tourism destinations in Serbia. In the concluding remarks, guidelines for improving the existing rural tourism supply in Serbia are provided.