KNjIGA SAžETAKA / BOOK Of ABSTRACTS - Treći međunarodni ...

Ph. D., Associate Professor Dora Smolčić Jurdana
University of Rijeka
Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management Opatija
Primorska 42, p.p. 97, 51410 Opatija, Croatia
tel.: 051/294-186
fax.: 051/291-965
e-mail: doras@fthm.hr
M. Sc., Assistant Daniela Soldić Frleta
e-mail: danielas@fthm.hr
Title of the contribution:
Less developed tourism areas – specific issues and demand
features
Keywords:
less developed areas, tourism, sustainable
development, economic and social benefits
Type of presentation:
PowerPoint
3. TemATSkA cJelinA: kReiRAnJe i DiSTRiBUciJA pRoizvoDA RURAlnog TURizmA
Theme:
Creation and distribution of Rural Tourism Product
Purpose of study:
The purpose of this paper was to determine the
characteristics of present tourism demand in these,
tourism wise, still not sufficiently developed areas and
to analyze the specific issues encountered by these
areas.
Methodology/Approach:
Data collected in a survey designed for tourists who
visited rural tourism destinations in different Croatian
counties have been used. The survey instrument was
a self-administered questionnaire. The first part of
the questionnaire was related to the demographic
socioeconomic details, tourists’ behavior regarding
tourist activities, their motives for coming, length of
stay, intention to return, consumption, etc. Second part
included importance and satisfaction ratings scales
referring to destination attributes.
Findings:
It was found that majority of the respondents organized
their trip on their own and majority is spending more
than 4 nights in rural destination. For majority of the
Structured abstract
respondents average monthly family income is between
1,000 and 3,000 Euros, and 47% of the respondents
are daily spending between 30-50 Euros per person in
selected rural destination. Main motive for visiting rural
Croatia was rest and relaxation and family vacation.
Respondents are on average very satisfied with rural
destinations’ tourism offer. They are most satisfied with
friendly and hospitable residents, local atmosphere
and personal safety and precisely these attributes
respondents consider to be most important for them.
Originality/Value:
Majority researches on tourists’ features and their
satisfaction level refer to Croatian coastal parts. Since
tourism is seen as new development perspective in
rural areas it was worth conducting the research that
resulted with current rural tourists’ attitudes. The results
could be of use to tourism sector and local communities
in rural areas so that they can improve and strength
tourism direct and indirect positive economic and social
impact.
Research limitations/Implications:
Research findings are based on the responses of tourists
who stayed in Croatian rural destinations and they refer
to selected counties. Further researches should be
focused on market niches that have opted for different
destination with similar characteristics which would
serve to compare the findings obtained in this paper.
Practical implications:
Research results can be considered as a guideline
for tourism sector in enhancing service quality and
customer satisfaction since greater understanding of
the tourists’ characteristics and satisfaction with the
tourism products may induce more economical, social
benefits.
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