RIVER TOURISM IN EASTERN CROATIA: PERSPECTIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT

Tourism, and thus the tourist product is a multidimensional phenomenon with continuous and highly dynamic development, which stems from the way individuals use their free time, change of its increasingly varied needs and interests of tourists. The increasing demands of tourism consumers initiated the development of specific forms of tourism which are trying to, through organizing special forms of rest, recreation experiences, experiences, and other special facilities, adjust the travel and tourism product offer to immediate tourists, or a specific group of tourists. Consequently, it can be said that modern tourism development which is characterized by, among other things, segmentation and directing of tourist demand toward specific forms of tourism represents an opportunity for the development of river tourism as one of the specific forms of tourism. Despite the fact that the rivers are still highly neglected aspect of the global tourism industry, in recent times interests of tourists for river tourism is growing. Rivers as complex ecosystems affect many human businesses, including tourism. With the main activities that take place on rivers such as cruises, sailing and rafting, the attractiveness of its banks as diverse landscapes, and rich cultural - historical heritage of the nearby towns should be pointed out. When it comes to river tourism of eastern Croatia, and in general river Danube should be noted since it has a central role in river cruise market. Also, for the development of this form of tourism there are also potentials on the rivers Sava and Drava. Therefore, the fundamental purpose of this paper is to analyze the opportunities and constraints for tourism development on eastern Croatian rivers and provide guidance for further development of this form of tourism. The work will by interviews with operators of the tourism industry gather information needed to identify the key elements of offer of river tourism. Since the current potential for the development of river tourism is not evaluated properly and no proper infrastructures were built, offers of additional services as well as a recognizable tourist product of river tourism, based on the results of research recommendations will be defined for the sustainable development of river tourism, with emphasis on eastern Croatia.