Agroeconomia Croatica, Vol. 12 No. 1, 2022.
Preliminary communication
Development opportunities of thematic tourism in rural areas: a case study of the Christmas theme park Božićno selo
Toni Popović
orcid.org/0000-0003-1881-489X
; Odsjek za sociologiju. Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu, Poljička cesta 35, 21000 Split
Renata Relja
; Odsjek za sociologiju, Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu, Poljička cesta 35, 21000 Split
Anita Marasović
; Odsjek za sociologiju. Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu, Poljička cesta 35, 21000 Split
Abstract
The subject of study is Božićno selo in Gornji Dolac (Omiš) as an example of thematic tourism in rural areas. The research was conducted in late May and early June 2020 using survey and semi-structured interview methods. The survey included 193 visitors of Božićno selo. The main interest was related to the motives of arrival and the experiences of the visit. Respondents’ satisfaction regarding Božićno selo was discussed, as well as their assessments on ways of further improvement of this example of rural tourism. The survey results point to Christmas aesthetics and fauna (domestic animals) as the main motives for the visit. The urban population represents the predominant profile of visitors who are attracted by traditional holiday and rural motives. Respondents are mostly satisfied with Božićno selo (89.6%). They are ready to recommend it to their friends and acquaintances. In a semi-structured interview, the entrepreneurial aspects of dealing with thematic tourism were discussed from the insider perspective of the owner of Božićno selo. The motivation for starting the business, its impact on the rural community, and contribution to promotion of local family farms, in addition to further plans respecting the novel coronavirus crisis, were discussed.
Keywords
rural tourism, thematic tourism, Božićno selo, Gornji Dolac, case study
Hrčak ID:
280452
URI
Publication date:
30.6.2022.
Visits: 1.202 *