Dear All,
Welcome to the website of the 7th International Congress on Rural Tourism.
Croatian Association for Tourism and Rural Development “The Village Membership Club”, in cooperation with the organisers, is delighted to host numerous scientists and professionals in the field of sustainable rural tourism. The Congress will be held from 6 to 9 May 2026 in Rab.
This year, we are also proud to host the 9th European Congress on Rural Tourism, organised by the European Federation of Rural Tourism Rural Tour and co-organised by our team, which will take place concurrently.
The slogan of this year’s Congress, which encompasses nine thematic sections, is Creative Transformation of Rural Tourism: Sustainability, Digitalisation, Inclusiveness.
The 7th International Congress on Rural Tourism is a meeting place for the public, civil, and economic sectors, as well as scientists and experts, with the aim of connecting science and practice and encouraging the sustainable development of rural tourism. It is part of the SUNFLOWER network, a platform for the creative transformation of rural tourism, sustainability, digitalization, and inclusivity.
The programme is designed to encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience through dynamic discussions, round tables, expert workshops with a focus on contemporary trends, and networking with around 400 participants from across Europe.
A special part of the programme will be dedicated to visits to rural areas of the town of Rab and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, which proudly holds the title of European Region of Gastronomy 2026.
At the previous Congress in Podstrana, it was emphasised that rural tourism is a key factor in the reactivation of natural resources. It not only preserves local identity, tradition, and customs, but also protects the environment, encourages organic agriculture, and ensures the sustainable development of rural areas. This is precisely why rural tourism is rightly referred to as the future of global tourism.
Join us in discussions on the present and future of rural areas of the Republic of Croatia and Europe.
We look forward to meeting you on Rab.
Yours sincerely, The Organisers:
1504.2024.
1204.2024.
1104.2024.
