TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Purpose and design - This research explores the interconnectedness between tourism infrastructure, recreational facilities and tourism development. It analyses their importance in, and compliance with the current phase of tourism development in the destination (TALC). Attention has been given to the tourist board managers' perception of infrastructural management and key limitation for their involvement in the management process. Finally, the role of the private sector in the development of infrastructure and facilities in destination has been explored. Methodology and approach - The semi-structured questioner has been repeatedly sent to 312 tourist board managers in Croatia, leading Southern Mediterranean destination. The research applies qualitative and quantitative analysis. Findings - There is a significant correlation between TALC and number of arrivals, overnights, the current state of the infrastructure and facilities. Findings suggest growing demand and expectations regarding infrastructure and facilities in the examined destination can be related to a destination position in TALC. The compliance level between the stage of the tourism development and state of the infrastructure and facilities varies especially between destinations in initial and maturing phases of tourism development. The destinations position in TALC is correlated with the importance of specific types of infrastructure and facilities for a specific destination. Due to mostly financial limitations, managers are not willing to take responsibility for the development of tourism infrastructure. Their expectations regarding private sector involvement vary, considering the type of infrastructure, facilities and destinations position in TALC. The originality of the research - Research provides supply-side perspective and new insights into the infrastructural development - TALC relation, and delivers tourist board managers attitudes toward the private sector involvement.