The Importance of Local Events for Positioning of Tourist Destination

Abstract

This paper highlights levels of influences of local events on the image of region of Konavle, as a micro-destination near Dubrovnik. As a municipality Konavle has 32 settlements facing the agriculture and tourism (TZ Konavle. 2016). The aim is to research the influence of the development of local events in Konavle on the destination development in terms of dynamic and competitive market changes. From 2009 Association of Agritourism Konavle has been organizing a local event Scents of Christmas in Konavle. It carried out activities to promote and develop rural tourism in the southernmost region of Croatia (Agritourism Konavle, 2016). It operates through organized events, promotional tour on other rural destinations. For members it organizes workshops, including them in projects. Scientific attitudes of theoreticians in this area, clearly argue the interactivity of selective modalities of tourism and its positive effects on the destination. Based on that attitudes, it was conducted the empirical research by the survey method.The significance of the elements of local event on the recognition and an image of the destination, has been proven. While presenting heritage, an organized event impact on alleviation of the problem of seasonality of every tourist place on the Croatian coast. This event brings together the majority of visitors from micro-destination, Konavle, but also attracts visitors from Dubrovnik. Because of connection between two destinations, it is essential to explore the selected tourism forms, as well their role in the creation of innovative tourist products.