Cross-Border Regions as Potential Tourist Destinations Along the Slovene Croatian Frontier

Abstract

The competitiveness of border regions is generally lower than that of a country’s interior regions. Typically being areas that mark the end of one entity and the beginning of another, border regions demonstrate weaker economic performance. Tourism, as a method of development, provides opportunities to develop destinations in places where tourism attractions and resources, and comparative and competitive advantages, exist. Our research focuses on tourism supply providers in the border regions of Slovenia and Croatia. We assess their attitudes on tourism, regional competitiveness, and potential tourism destinations as the outcome of cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism. Results indicate the possibility of enhancing competitiveness through a strategic approach to planning and managing cross-border tourism destinations.

Keywords: tourist destination, cross-border cooperation, synergy, networking, integrated tourist product

JEL Classification: L83