Review article
Rural Tourism in Međimurje County: Synergy of Partnership between Diaspora, Economy and Local Community
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivo Turk
orcid.org/0000-0001-6090-1327
; Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, Zagreb, Croatia
Nikola Šimunić
; Institute for Migration and Ethnic Studies, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Rural tourism entails all the activities that take place in a rural area. Over the last decades, this form of tourism occurs in the north of the Republic of Croatia, in Međimurje County. Following this consideration, the rural homeland is extremely important for the development of Croatian society through various sectors of the economy in the form of investments in that area as well as for emigrated Croats and returnees. Through the rural tourism of Međimurje County, diaspora tourism is also promoted in Croatia and with Croatia joining the European Union great development opportunities are offered. Emigrants from Međimurje County, who are maintaining close relations with the homeland, emerge in the role of investors or consumers of rural tourism through the objective and the subjective elements, which are products of tradition, and through cultural services which are offered by individuals or communities. One of the basic bonds Croatian emigrants have with the homeland is, among others, heritage, development of the rural area with contents that area offers and local community tourism. This research paper aims to offer a pilot program that could be applied to other parts of the Republic of Croatia, with great potential for rural and diaspora tourism.
The Croatian diaspora, with cultural and economic strength, should become imperative for further development and the promoter of its homeland in the world. Following that, rural tourism represents a great potential in developing Croatian society through the tertiary sector. Through the analysis of the current state and the rural tourism offer in Međimurje County, it will be shown how certain economies have aimed to preserve the current rural tradition with the purpose of the synergy of the partnership between diaspora, economy and the local community. The expected results and contribution of the research paper can be distinguished as: academic (dissemination of the research results, promoting a new methodology and practical contribution: (conclusions which may serve in the preparation of special programs and program contents which will be adapted to the target local and diaspora groups: young age, students, pensioners).
Keywords
diaspora; Međimurje County; rural tourism; synergy
Hrčak ID:
320085
URI
Publication date:
16.7.2024.
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