THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECOTOURISM CLUSTERS AND
   INNOVATION MILIEU IN THE REGION OF SOUTH-EASTERN
                        EUROPE

                                  Ágnes Fodor, Economist
                                 VÁTI Non-profit Company,
                                   fodoragi1@t-online.hu

                                  László Sitanyi, Economist
                      South-Transdanubian Regional Development Agency
                                     sitanyi@somogy.hu


ABSTRACT: Ecotourism destinations can be characterised with typically standalone tourism
suppliers. Although competition can be useful, but often cooperation among such small
operators yields significantly better overall results. Harmonising nature conservation and
tourism is also an important condition of sustainability.
       Availability of financial assets is also important; but contrary to conventional wisdom
the main questions is not the capital available for innovation or the government’s grants.
According to research, success does not depend on the support of the government, but
primarily on the environment, or the so-called milieu of innovation (CAMAGNI, P.R. 1992).
Based on our research we can develop ecotourism clusters in peripheral EU countries that
are economically and socially successful and at the same time provide a liveable
environment.

Keywords: Innovative environment (milieu), Ecotourism, Ecotourism Clusters, Networks, Spatial
development

JEL Codes: L83, O30