The Visitor in Slovak Rural Tourism in Turbulent Times

Slovakia underwent a series of fundamental changes in the structure of society in the twentieth century and after the year 2000. The population of Slovakia in 1919 after the establishment of Czechoslovakia was 2.94 million, currently reaching 5.5 million. The social and economic structure of society has changed significantly. A large part of the population has stopped living the original rural lifestyle, and social ties in society also changed significantly. Part of the population has moved from villages to cities. Despite these changes, Slovakia is a rural country from a European perspective. Formally up to 80% of the rural population formally lives in Slovakia. However, there is the potential for the development of rural tourism for both domestic and foreign visitors. Interesting and diverse nature and traditional culture are a prerequisite for the development of tourism in the countryside. In the past, however, there was also a significant impact on the character of rural settlements in Slovakia. There are more than 60 mountains in Slovakia and the country is visually attractive, suitable for the development of rural tourism. The aim of this paper is to analyse the visitor in rural tourism in Slovakia in terms of his views on the quality of services, including the evaluation of statistical data on rural tourism in comparison with the development of tourism in Slovakia.