The Role of Rural Tourism in Strengthening the Sustainability of Rural Areas: The Case of Zlakusa Village

Nevena Ćurčić, Andrijana Mirković Svitlica, Jovana Brankov, Željko Bjeljac, Sanja Pavlović and Bojana Jandžiković
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Nevena Ćurčić: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg. D. Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Andrijana Mirković Svitlica: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jovana Brankov: Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Đure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Željko Bjeljac: Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Đure Jakšića 9, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Sanja Pavlović: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Bojana Jandžiković: Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica, Lole Ribara 29, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-23

Abstract: The strategic planning of rural development is focused on both economic growth and sustainable development. Sustainable rural development is essential for conserving and improving resources, while economic growth contributes to a better standard of living. The aim of the research is to determine, using the participatory rural appraisal (PRA) methodology on the example of the village of Zlakusa, the economic activities developed in the village, the importance of rural tourism, and the scope of sustainable development taken into account in rural development. The results of the research show that the success of the rural community depends on: diversification of economic activities, which is accompanied by cohesion of the population through association and organization; organized activities aimed at local or republican authorities; activation of human and social capital; and initiating activities involving marginalized groups. Educating the population outside formal education improves the sustainable and economic development of the village and enables rural tourism to become an important part of economic activities and a channel for the commercialization of natural and cultural contents.

Keywords: rural development; tourism; preserving resources; sustainability; PRA methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:12:p:6747-:d:575050

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