Development Perspectives of Rural Tourism Policy – a Comparative Study of Rural Tourism Competitiveness Based on Perceptions of Tourism Workers in Slovenia and Serbia

Abstract

This paper deals with the development of rural areas in Slovenia and Serbia. The article identifies the main characteristics of rural tourism competitiveness in Slovenia and Serbia, analysing the main contributions and making a series of proposals to guide a future research agenda. The aim of the paper is simplified and clarified around one clearly defined objective: point out the competitiveness of rural tourism. The data for this study was collected using Dwyer and Kim’s (2003) Integrated Model of Destination Competitiveness to observe Slovenia’s and Vojvodina’s (Serbia) destination competitiveness. Determinants were assessed using a survey evaluating 24 indicators (demand factors and supporting factors), based upon a Likert Scale.

Significance and frequency of sports and recreational activities in the demographic structure: middle-aged people

“…The development of modern society has led to the spread of addiction diseases, especially alcoholism and drug addiction, which negatively affect both individuals and the entire social community [11]. It should accurately plan and program sports activities and invest in sports facilities, thus reducing many other social problems [5]. The aging process first affects the cardiovascular and nervous systems.…”

“…Results of research papers that have been predominantly concerned with motivation to participate in sports and recreational activities in general, or individual activities in this field: Renowned Canadian psychologist Kenyon S.G. (1968) The "Six Scales for Assessing Attitudes Toward Physical Activity" is considered one of the founders of motivation research (using multilevel "Likert-type" scales that are suitable for factor analysis, belonging to higherorder statistical techniques) [5]. In a sample of 353 men and 215 women, high school students, a survey was conducted and six factors were identified by factor analysis for engaging in physical activity.…”

“…In a sample of 353 men and 215 women, high school students, a survey was conducted and six factors were identified by factor analysis for engaging in physical activity. Each factor was tested with 14 claims: social expectation, health and fitness, aspiration for awe, aesthetic expectations, catharsis (moving away from the frustrations that come from everyday life), asceticism [5].…”

“…The problem of motivation for recreational exercise was also addressed by the leading recreation expert of the then Czechoslovakia Hrcka J. (1975) in his work "The Importance of Disseminating Knowledge about the Role of Sports and Recreational Activities" [5]. When asked why people go in for sports and exercise, the following data are available: 35% for health, for health and fun, 17% for leisure only, 8% for health and physical development, 7.5% for fun.…”

“…An increasingly topical topic in world research is the physical activity of middle-aged people. The quality of a person's life is determined by physical activity, which has major implications for the advancement of health: as a means of recovery and recreation, they influence the increase of working ability [5]. The World Health Organization recognized the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing morbidity and mortality and, in 2004, adopted a Global Strategy on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health, and in 2010, a Global Recommendation on Physical Activity for Health [18].…”