RURAL TOURISM AN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The study highlights the importance of rural tourism from a social economic perspective in rural areas.     Tourism benefits tourists, hosts, but also the community in which they run. Tourism is of major importance to the economic and social life of the area, with direct, indirect, and induced positive effects. Tourism represents an important source of jobs for rural communities. Tourism gives business opportunities to local population and increase local quality of life. Tourism encourages restoration of local and regional historic sites and supports local culture in rural areas.