Development of sustainable rural tourism: potentials of Koprivničko-križevačka county

Kantar, Sandra. (2016). Development of sustainable rural tourism: potentials of Koprivničko-križevačka county. PhD Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of Sociology.
(Poslijediplomski doktorski studij sociologije.) [mentor Lay, Vladimir].

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Abstract

This thesis presents the sociological perspective of sustainable development and integral sustainability of rural tourism in Koprivničko-Križevačka County. Rural tourism is a significant factor in activation and sustainable development of rural areas which facilitates preservation of local identity, tradition and customs, protects the environment, strengthens autochthonous, traditional and organic production and contributes to development of rural areas based on sustainable development. Furthermore, rural tourism to a great extent generated comprehension of the need for sustainable development because it is by far the most interested in sustainability of all the resources which form the basis of its development and sustainability. Dimensions of sustainable development, such as ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political sustainability can be applied to rural tourism and thus provide the concept of integral sustainable development in rural tourism. It is important to point out that integral sustainability can be achieved only if all dimensions are in the state of dynamic balance. Rural tourism based on dimensions of sustainable development represents a realistic alternative to mass tourism and builds on the strengthening of human and social capital, which could contribute to implementation of the sustainable tourism concept. Human and social capital in Koprivničko-Križevačka County is therefore researched based on qualitative empirical research by means of interview method. Research subjects were local stakeholder of rural tourism development, experts and decision makers. Basic finding of the results of empirical research is that rural tourism is currently in its development phase. Other results of empirical research can be summarized as follows. Economic sustainability in rural tourism activity is not achieved if there is no support from other related business activities such as agriculture. Regarding socio-cultural dimension of sustainability, it is preserved through regional and homeland identity and according to the opinion of relevant stakeholders it is not represented in sufficient extent. Furthermore, political dimension of rural tourism sustainability is founded on family support, but not on the support of the institutions which should contribute to rural tourism development. Situation with the environment is satisfactory and it is continuously improved enabling the achievement of ecological sustainability. In conclusion, integral sustainability in rural tourism is not achieved in all dimensions. Therefore, rural tourism could be a strategy for sustainable development for rural areas and also could be a tool for product differentiation for area that are at stagnation stage.

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