Research work on sports tourism

The literature from the field of research in sport and tourism and their mutual connections is not rare. Various authors approach the research on these two phenomena differently and results of their investigations can be found in numerous papers around the world. Primarily they were oriented on identifying the connection between sport and tourism. Then the research work on the consequences, that is, the effects of their relationship follow (mainly the quantification of these effects). Contemporary studies move towards new contents and relations that can improve the quality of rest, and those that deal with the relation of policy makers towards sport tourism. For a better understanding it is necessary to point out various approaches to defining and explaining the concept of sports tourism. This is done in the paper and a more detailed overview of the works of Croatian authors is given. Special attention is paid to the development of sports tourism, that is, physical-recreation-related tourism in Croatia. An insight in the significance of this form of tourism on the development of tourism in general is given. The paper is a result of a comprehensive study of literature on the subject of sports tourism and its development in the world and Croatia.