The influence of agrotourism on socio-economic development of Primorsko-goranska county

Agrotourism has an increasing significance in the development of Croatia. Although 92% of the country is rural, the portion of rural in total tourism has long been represented with a very low share of 5%. The share of tourist family farms is only 0.2% of the total number of registered farms in Croatia. Rural tourism is a significant factor in the activation and sustainable development of rural areas. It helps preserve local identity, tradition and customs, protects the environment, strengthens autochthonous, traditional and ecological production and helps the development of rural areas on the basis of sustainable development. The surveys conducted in Primorsko-goranska county resulted with several conclusions and suggestions of measures to encourage the further development of agrotouristic activities in these areas. There is still insufficient development of agrotourism as an economic activity in Primorsko-goranska county, however there are initiatives for a more intensive development of economic activity in the future, especially in the area rich in biodiversity and characterized by a favorable geographic position. The geographic position of the county is manifested primarily in good connections with the larger towns of Croatia and the city of Zagreb, and expressed in three physiognomic units: coastal, islands and Gorski kotar. Furthermore, the survey shows that there is a specific interest among the farmers to initiate this type of economic activity. Agrotourism contributes to the development of the county, the revival of agricultural production, the preservation of the tradition, the preservation of the population in the village and the local identity, and the increase in the number of tourists.