Rural tourism and food production in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Industrialized and developing countries increasingly develop rural tourism. It is particularly attractive for the population of highly urban areas and also because of the growing differentiation of lifestyles. Values that attract tourists in rural areas are: clean air, land, water, fresh food offer, peace and tranquility, cultural and historical heritage (monuments, folklore, country music) as well as other natural heritage (rivers, lakes, mountains). Good examples of rural tourism are existing traditional ethno-villages, as well as newly developed ones. Existing tourist organizations offer visits to villages with daily or weekend arrangements, and full boarding arrangements. The share of foreign tourists in the total share of tourists in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is about 56%, and in the number of overnight stays is 52% and it differs by entities. According to the research, the total number of foreign tourists in BiH is about 1.4 million per year. There are typical products in Bosnia and Herzegovina that represent a basis for the development of tourism. Those are authentic sorts of fruit and vegetables, authentic breeds of cattle and poultry, as well as products received from them. Rural tourism can also be based on tourists’ direct involvement in the countryside food production process, providing a concept of active vacation.