Socio-Cultural Characteristics of Sustainable Tourism in Inland Istria

Abstract

The paper examines selected socio-cultural characteristics of sustainable tourism in inland Istria, which consists of 24 towns and villages of the County of Istria. Taking into consideration criteria such as availability, reliability, predictability, clarity and feasibility, the following socio-cultural indicators of sustainable tourism were selected: the density of registered and protected cultural and historical heritage relative to area size of towns and villages, the proportion of tourists who understand the language of the local population, general security measured as a ratio of criminal conducts and offences of disturbing public peace and order committed by tourists against the total number of such delicts, the attitudes of the local population and accommodation owners toward tourism, as well as the attitudes of municipal representatives. The highest density of registered and protected cultural and historical heritage was found in towns and villages with urban, semi-urban and rural complexes. The indicator of the proportion of tourists who understand the language of the local population revealed a satisfactory level of linguistic understanding between the local population and tourists. The ratio of criminal conducts and offences of disturbing public peace and order committed by tourists against the total number of such delicts is relatively low. Tourists committed several criminal acts and breaches of public peace in only 11 municipalities. The attitudes of the local population and accommodation owners toward tourism were examined by administering the questionnaire which showed that tourism is an acceptable and desirable activity.