Exploring where and why rural tourism occurs: The case of Croatia and the Ravni Kotari region

Abstract The paper examines factors influencing the development and spatial distribution of rural tourism in Croatia according to the EU classifications of municipalities as urban, rural and proper rural areas. The tourist traffic figures for selected years were computed and the association of socio-economic variables and tourism development index (dependent variable) within these three areas were considered. Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in Ravni Kotari, a rural region in Littoral Croatia, supplemented the quantitative analysis. The findings indicate that proximity to the coast and overall economic development emerge as the primary factors associated with rural tourism development. The interviews reveal a trend in rural tourism development, specifically in the form of luxury holiday homes, while highlighting the lack of other tourist facilities.