engleski

Position of Adventure Tourism in Nature Park Tourism of Continental Croatia.

The main objective of the paper is to determine whether nature parks in Continental Croatia recognize the global position and significance of adventure tourism in the tourism industry. The main question is whether its development is planned, organized, and coordinated with respect to prominent global trends of adventure tourism or is it spontaneous, mostly related to the expansion of the market and initiatives of individuals and certain groups? Accordingly, the paper seeks to determine whether nature parks tourism is focused and adapted to the adventure tourism market? It is extremely important to determine the questioned condition because the intensity of the positive and negative tourism effects depends on it. For the purposes of the paper, the research was conducted by the survey method, using a semi- structured questionnaire. Using the questionnaire, the attitudes and approach of public institutions of nature parks and tourist boards that operate at nature parks’ area, regarding the representation of adventure tourism products, were examined. Furthermore, the possibilities and limitations of their optimal representation in the tourism supply have been identified. The research is directed to the directors of nature parks or the person responsible for tourism development and the directors of tourist boards or the expert assistants, while obtained data were analysed using the appropriate scientific methods. The obtained results are expected to contribute to a better understanding of nature park managers about the need to develop unique and well-differentiated adventure products, which can provide additional benefits to nature parks and the local community, as well as increase competitiveness and the tourist value across a wide range of adventure products. A good example are destinations that are focused on maintenance preparing programs to undertake specific, physically, and mentally demanding adventure activities that can provide visitors who stay longer than usual one day in nature parks.

protected areas, nature parks, adventure tourism, adventure activities, Continental Croatia

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