Author(s)

Z. Gržetić, M. Kovačić & S. Favro

Abstract

In this paper, the authors point to the importance of the research and analysis for the purpose of development and valorisation of islands. The directions of the future development have been defined as the main support to planning and decision-making. The analytical approach is of particular importance for the long-term development of Istrian tourism. The approach and methodology applied in the research are based on the analysis of data from primary and secondary sources. Such data indicate the current situation in the unique and distinct area of special importance. Primary sources data have been collected and processed in the Programme of sustainable development of the islands in the Istrian County. The authors have observed the data through their causal connection in the space, especially among selective forms of tourism and preservation of the environment, and socio-economic processes caused by the development of tourism. The secondary sources of data are various data obtained from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (demographic and economic), marine and topographic charts, and results of multi-criteria site researches of the Croatian archipelago. The methodological approach to the processing of various data (geographic, economic, ecological and sociological), through which the main characteristics of the effects of tourism in the area of the Croatian littoral are observed, is based on multi-criteria analysis. The aim of the research was to identify possibilities and limitations of further development and improvement of selective forms of tourism in the Istrian archipelago.

Keywords

Croatian islands, Istrian archipelago, selective forms of tourism, sustainable development