Small Farms Restructuring in Bulgaria
Rural Areas and Development, vol. 11, ISSN: 2657-4403, 2014
14 Pages Posted: 6 Jan 2021
Date Written: 2014
Abstract
There are numerous studies which point to the possibilities for rural revitalization and improvement of the living standards of the rural population through development of tourism. Cluster concept and regional cluster initiatives in tourism are generally presented as tool for fulfilment of ideas about the successful regional and rural development. This study presents the genesis, functioning and impact of two tourism cluster initiatives from mountainous rural areas of Slovakia (Orava region and Turiec region) on selected regional indicators (net migration of population, number of tourists, overnight stays and unemployed persons) with the aim to confirm or put into the question the validity of positively perceived direct relation between the simple existence of tourism cluster and rational (successful and/or sustainable) spatial development. The results (comparison of applied regional indicators before and after establishment of tourism clusters) show that establishment and existence of tourism clusters in Orava and Turiec regions are not automatically accompanied by the dramatic changes of regional and rural economic prosperity and/or sustainability in the first years of their activities.
Keywords: Rural and Regional Development, Tourism Clusters, Assessment of Cluster Initiatives in Tourism, Slovakia
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