The sustainable development of rural areas and the role of rural tourism

In many countries rural areas are less developed areas which have many specific problems. This is also the case in the Czech Republic, where rural areas have been out of general public interest for many years. This resulted in an undesired situation of Czech farmers (in particular those small ones), high unemployment rate, shortage of finance and legislative support, which would promote business investments and new job creation. The situation has changed after the European Union entry. EU member states in general want to increase life quality, clear or mitigate regional disparity and keep sustainable development in rural areas. One way to make rural regions more attractive and help solving problems of agriculture businesses are various forms of rural tourism, especially agrotourism. That is an alternative way of agricultural business which may be useful to the return to profitability, increase in competitiveness of agriculture and new job creation. Rural tourism also could be beneficial for revitalisation and living social environment. The article describes the role of sustainable tourism within sustainable development of rural are- as and the life quality there. It evaluates selected factors which affect quality of life in the Czech ru- ral areas and highlights the regional importance of rural tourism as the sustainable form of tourism. The basic priciples of rural tourism are identified from the view of the sustainable development (the relationships between economic, social and environmental aspects) in the visitor - host relation