Abstract

Purpose of the article The paper is seeking the mutual links between creativity, innovation and tourism in the rural areas. Creativity and innovation are often associated with cities, because the potential of creative industries and people is concentrated in cities. Is this assumption correct? Using examples from practice, this paper explains that creativity in tourism may be associated with the rural areas. Methodology/methods The contribution is linked with theoretical basis of creative economy under the research assignment APVV-0101-10 Creative economy - national economic and regional conditions and incentives. Therefore, it is based on analysis and comparison of views on possibilities for attracting the creative class to rural areas on one hand, and for development of creative activities within rural tourism on the other hand. Scientific aim The aim of the paper is to confirm the existence of real link between creativity, tourism and rural areas. Findings In the first part of the contribution, the basic terms as creativity, creative industry and creative class are explained and possibilities for their localization in rural areas are examined. Studies confirm that rural areas can become attractive environment for creative class despite problems like spatial diffusion of local resources and capacities and limited accessibility of capital. High-quality environment, attractive natural, cultural and historical potential and convenient infrastructure belong among the reasons for localization of creative class in rural areas. The same attributes are important for tourists who decide where to spend their free time. Conclusions Consequently, the support for development of rural tourism is understood in the paper as an instrument to improve the quality of places as well as to attract creative class and creative industries to rural municipalities. In the second part, the emphasis is put on definition of creative tourism as a creative industry based on creative activities. Examples of well-developed creative tourism in Europe are also given in this part, namely thematic routes connecting rural and urban municipalities, presenting them under certain theme issuing from local or regional culture and traditions.