THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECOTOURISM CLUSTERS AND INNOVATION MILIEU IN THE REGION OF SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Ecotourism destinations can be characterised with typically standalone tourismsuppliers. Although competition can be useful, but often cooperation among such smalloperators yields significantly better overall results. Harmonising nature conservation andtourism is also an important condition of sustainability. Availability of financial assets is also important; but contrary to conventional wisdomthe main questions is not the capital available for innovation or the government’s grants.According to research, success does not depend on the support of the government, butprimarily on the environment, or the so-called milieu of innovation (CAMAGNI, P.R. 1992).Based on our research we can develop ecotourism clusters in peripheral EU countries thatare economically and socially successful and at the same time provide a liveableenvironment.