Acta turistica nova, Vol. 2 No. 2, 2008.
Original scientific paper
Rural tourism and entrepreneurship: example of the Međimurje County
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić
Abstract
This paper analyses the current rural tourism offer in Međimurje County. It also indicates how certain holdings have focused on preserving rural traditions in order to develop small enterprises. The aim of the paper is to examine the quality of rural tourism in Međimurje County, to ascertain in which parts of the county there are facilities and holdings given over to rural tourism, where wine trails are located, and what other attractions rural tourism in Međimurje County has to offer. The paper will also examine whether any difficulties exist regarding legal regulation and whether these difficulties could obstruct the development of rural tourism in the county, and which regulations on registering facilities/holdings are in effect. It is also the intention of this paper to examine and conclude in what ways rural tourism has tried to unify and revive the relatively well organised county of Međimurje.
It is argued that neighbouring Slovenia has had a positive impact on the development of rural tourism in Međimurje, as have the ideas and experiences of emigrants returning from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, where this type of tourism has been popular for many years. Individual rural holdings, the presentation of traditions through folk customs and old crafts, the region’s traditional produce, and the fact that the level of environmental protection is very high and that the River Mura has been proclaimed a protected area all provide further incentives at both the individual and local government level to invest in such businesses
Keywords
rural tourism; Međimurje County; rural tourism facilities; wine trail; folk customs and crafts
Hrčak ID:
43436
URI
Publication date:
16.11.2008.
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