THE POTENTIAL OF NON-WOOD PRODUCTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FOREST TOURISM

Forest is one of the natural tourist resources. However, so far it has not been valorised appropriately in tourism, especially its social and cultural value potentials and non-wood forest products in general. Forest tourism is not scientifically defined nor sufficiently evaluated, despite the fact that the recreational use of forests and woodlands have long been in use. The purpose of this paper is to highlight a very important aspect of the tourist function of the forest, which provides many forms of application and is coherent with all major European directives and sustainable developmental polidies. It could promote environmental sector, green jobs and positive socio-demographic effects. It might substantially reinforce innovative tourism development. The defined research problem refers to insufficient implementation of the tourist function of forests. Recent literature on tourist function of forests, particularly from the period of last ten years, has been reviewed by employing desk research method. The main findings of the study represent social and cultural benefits of forest tourism, which are oriented to promoting non-wood products. Findings of this paper are supported also by recommendations for the development of non-wood forest products and strengthening of forest - socio cultural values as well as with some examples of good practice, applicable in the international environment for the purpose of tourism development. At the end of the paper, challenges in the field and guidelines for further research are proposed.