AZ ÖKOTURIZMUS FEJLESZTÉSI LEHETŐSÉGEI ÉS IRÁNYAI A DÉL-DUNÁNTÚLI ÖKOTURISZTIKAI KLASZTER EREDMÉNYEI TÜKRÉBEN

Abstract

A dynamically developing branch of tourism is ecotourism. Awakening to the global problems and
recognition of the negative environmental impacts of tourism led to the development of sustainable tourism
that does not negatively affect environmental and socio-cultural heritage. Ecotourism is a development
chance for less developed peripheral regions as well; in fact, it is a development possibility just for these
regions in the first place, as a positive result of belated development in these areas is the better preserved
quasi natural conditions. A good example for this in Hungary is the region of South Transdanubia, especially
its peripheral areas along to the border to Croatia. Relatively untouched nature in itself, on the other hand, is
not enough for a successful ecotourism activity, that requires a complex tourism product (including
attraction, accommodation, catering etc.), and also an organisational system that manages ecotourism in a
professional and sustainable way. A part of this work is the assessment of the demands of the guests, a work
that was done by the South Transdanubian ecotourism cluster in the recent past, in order to promote the
further development of ecotourism in the region and serve as a model for other regions with similar
endowments.