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Sport Tourism on Small Islands, Historical Review and Contemporary Perspectives; Examples of Brijuni, Krk and Hvar (Croatia)

The Mediterranean islands have always attracted the attention of tourists due to their atractive space, benevolent climate, but also diverse nature. These elements of attractiveness are the basis for the development of tourism and related sports-recreation (especially related to outdoor / nature sports). The growing trend of interest in tourist demand for physically active holidays in the world is visible in Croatia, which is confirmed by a series of visitor attitudes surveys (TOMAS survey) (Institute for tourism, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2020). According to the latest survey from 2019 almost 50% of tourists in Croatia emphasize sports-recreation as a motive to visit Croatia (Institute for tourism, 2020). However, Strategy for the Development of Tourism in Croatia 2013-2020 pointed out that the potential for the development of sports tourism in Croatia was insufficiently used and that there was a lack of sports centres for year-round tourism (Ministry of tourism, 2013). For the purpose of this paper, two Croatian islands, Hvar and Krk and one archipelago, Brijuni, are chosen as case studies. From the beginning of modern tourism on these islands, also began development activities related with sports tourism. Especially interesting is the continuity of tourism development, on all three islands, which begins in second half of 19. Century to the present day. In the whole period (more than one century) we can analyse different aspects of sport tourism on mentioned island. primarily on the basis of promotional materials for sports tourism, but also the analysis of sports - recreational infrastructure and recent public document. These three islands / archipelagos, have many similarities, but also differences, which are primarily evident in their distance from the mainland, size, level of culture and nature protection primary form of tourism, history of sport tourism, sport tourism offer, quality of sport tourism infrastructure (before and now), sport tourism events and connection with sustainable development. Therefore, the research methodology is based on a qualitative approach and relies on the analysis and valorisation of historical data, the development of sports tourism, sports infrastructure, sport tourism events and recent public documents at the national, regional and local level connected with sport tourism. Whit the aim of recognizing lessons learned rom past and new opportunities. Finally we can conclude that despite the tradition and potential for the development of sports tourism on the islands, there is still a lack of clear views on the connection between the development of sports tourism and the local community, especially in relation to the local economy and sustainable development. It is interesting that even in the past, the connection between tourism and the community was emphasized more than it is today. Ultimately, modern trends in tourism, especially on islands, must consider all the components of potential impacts on sustainability, which is not the case so far. Sports tourism has the potential to have a positive impact on sustainability monitoring, especially because sporting events have recently become mandatory to implement environmental and community impact monitoring.

sports tourism, island, Croatia, sustainable development, islands, Croatia

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