IMPACT OF EUROPEAN FOUNDS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM IN RURAL AREAS - EXAMPLE OF ORMOŽ

V diplomski nalogi smo v teoretičnem delu pregledali pomen turizma in podeželja na splošno v Sloveniji ter na obravnavanem območju Prlekije - občina Ormož. Pregledali smo tudi možne finančne spodbude s strani EU, ki lahko dodatno ugodno vplivajo na razvoj turizma na podeželju. V teoretičnem delu smo naredili analizo dveh uspešno izvedenih projektov v občini Ormož, ki sta bila sofinancirana s strani EU (EU skladi). Opravili smo tudi intervju z odgovornimi osebami obravnavanih projektov, kateri so nam podali dodatne informacije o realizaciji projektov. Potenciali za razvoj turizma v občini Ormož in Prlekiji so veliki, stališče lokalnega prebivalstva do razvoja je pozitivno, potrebno je le še dodati tako dobro mreženje med ponudniki in skupnostmi kot boljšo promocijo samega območja Prlekije.In the theoretical part of the thesis we have studied tourism and countryside both in Prlekija – municipality of Ormož, as well as in Slovenia in general. We have also examined the possibility of gathering EU funds to develop tourism in the countryside. In the theory part we have done the analysis of two successful projects that have taken place in the municipality of Ormož and have been co-funded by the EU (EU funds). We have also concluded interviews with people that were in charge of the two projects, from which we have gained a lot of inside information behind the two success stories. There is much potential for tourism development in municipality of Ormož and in the rest of Prlekija region. Local population is also very supportive of the idea to continue developing the tourism in the surrounding area, which makes for a solid foundation to build on by encouraging both tourism providers and communities to work closely together and by promoting the Prlekija region in a more active manner