Factors of Sustainable Tourism Development in the Ogulin-Plaski Micro Region

This paper analyses sustainable tourism development and the impact of tourism on the sustainable development of the Ogulin-Plaški micro region. The interview method was used to gather opinions concerning sustainable tourism development and the effect of tourism on sustainable development. Residents involved in sustainability issues were interviewed.Tourism's impact on the micro region's economy as a whole can be traced to the founding of societies for hiking (1874) and mountain climbing (1912) in Croatia. The development of catering was fostered until the 1980s, while more-intricate tourism activities were neglected, presumably due to a lack of tourism professionals. With the construction of the Bjelolasica tourism complex for winter sports (1979), the focus of development shifted to tourism. The most recent development of tourism in the micro region is greatly influenced by the Adriatic Motorway and the modernized Rudolf's Road.The paper focuses on ecosystems (karst ecosystems, wetland habitats – including waterways, woodland ecosystems, pastures and plowland) identified as key factors of tourism development, and on their sustainability. While Bijele and Samarske Stijene (strict reserve) and Plitvice Lakes (national park), border areas of the micro region, are appropriately protected from irrational use, this is not the case with the Microregion's remaining parts.The socio-cultural landscape focuses on the reconstruction and development of villages affected by the Homeland War, and on the conservation of the local value system.The paper's final part presents a development vision of tourism based on sustainable development