THE IMPORTANCE OF RURAL TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
THE IMPORTANCE OF RURAL TOURISM AS A DRIVER OF SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Summary/Abstract: Rural tourism has gained an increasingly important role in contemporary concepts of sustainable development over the past decades, particularly in countries endowed with significant natural, cultural, and agricultural resources. The Republic of Serbia possesses substantial potential for the development of rural tourism, including diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural and historical heritage, traditional gastronomy, authentic customs, and a well-developed agricultural sector. In the context of pronounced regional disparities, rural depopulation, and declining economic activities in rural areas, rural tourism has emerged as one of the key instruments for rural revitalization and the enhancement of local economic development. The subject of this paper is the analysis of the importance of rural tourism as a factor of sustainable economic development in the Republic of Serbia. The aim of the study is to identify the main development potentials of rural tourism, examine its economic, social, and environmental effects, and highlight the key challenges and limitations that hinder its full development. The research employs content analysis, comparative analysis, statistical analysis, and descriptive methods. The findings indicate that rural tourism can significantly contribute to employment growth, income diversification among rural populations, preservation of cultural identity, and the promotion of sustainable development in local communities. However, inadequate infrastructure, weak institutional support, insufficient promotion, and a lack of investment remain significant obstacles to the further development of this sector.

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