Naslov
Importance of sport and recreation activities for tourism development: The case of Croatia

Autori
Boranić Živoder, Snježana ; Čorak, Sanda

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Sport tourism New Challenges in a Globalized World / Melo, Ricardo - Coimbra : Coimbra College of Education, 2014, 141-142

ISBN
978-989-98016-3-9

Skup
Sport Tourism Conference - STC'14

Mjesto i datum
Coimbra, Portugal, 10.12.2014. - 12.12.2014

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Sport and Recreational Activities; Tourism; Trends

Sažetak
Trends in tourism demand show the growing number of tourists who are interested in active holidays (UNWTO, 2014). Tourists are increasingly looking for various sports possibilities in destinations ; these range from 'soft' activities to different adrenaline sports. Destinations on the basis of their natural and other resources create the various sport and recreation tourism products to strengthen its competitive advantage. This is also in line with the trends of healthy living, increasing education levels, and environmental awareness that characterize the majority of international tourists. Croatia, whose tourist supply over the past many years has been based mainly on 'sun and sea', as many other Mediterranean countries, faces problems of seasonality and a concentration of tourism activities in the coastal areas. With regard to natural resources and tradition of the sports, one of the tourism possibilities is to develop the activities related to sports and recreation, which can independently attract tourists. Sport activities, such as cycling, hiking, scuba diving, rafting, yachting, can extend the season, increase accommodation occupancy levels, and open new markets by using existing resources. This paper is based on several surveys of tourism demand (in Croatia and a few generating markets). The image of Croatia as a country is often associated with sport. The survey conducted for the need of "Strategy for the Development of Tourism Croatia until 2020" (Institute for Tourism, 2013) showed that tourists from many markets (Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, and Denmark) usually associate Croatia with sports. It was particularly the case with the Danes and British respondents, those of a younger age and higher income. Previous studies (Institute for Tourism, 2009) have shown that visitors in Croatia are more and more interested in different activities, such as swimming, walking, climbing, etc., in a destination. Additionally, 'the practice of sport and recreation' is the seventh motivation for those visiting the country during the summer months. This is especially evident in the case of younger visitors (up to 29). For them, the opportunities for sport and recreation have a great impact on the choice of destination (6th place among all elements). The aim of this paper is to examine the importance of developing tourism products based on sport and recreation activities that could increase tourist expenditure in Croatia. The aim is also to compare the results of the conducted surveys and to correlate the activity of tourists and their spending in Croatia. The analysis shows that the potential of adrenaline sports, sports training, cycling, diving, yachting, hiking, and trekking are extremely competitive and commercially attractive. The development of sport and recreation can bring numerous advantages, such as the raising of guests’ satisfaction, development of SMEs, better promotion on the international tourism market and creating the image of a country suitable for a healthy and active holiday, which is relevant to modern tourists. Furthermore, in order to better utilize its opportunities, Croatia will need stronger links of tourism and sports organizations as well as cooperation between public and private sectors to improve sport and tourism products.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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