THE FUTURE OF SERBIAN RURAL TOURISM OBSERVED THROUGH THE PRISM OF GASTRONOMY DEVELOPMENT

As the world slowly recovers from COVID-19 and borders gradually begin to open, changes are also expected in tourism trends. The aim of the research was to determine to what extent gastronomy as a tourism product will contribute to the development of rural tourism in some future period. By researching the quality of gastronomic products in rural households, and the expectations of the hosts, it was concluded that all predictors can significantly predict the future development of rural tourism through a stronger presentation of gastronomic products in Serbia. The sample included 225 respondents. A model of higher order factor analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used, with the introduction of a mediator variable. The importance of research is reflected in encouraging the development of rural tourism products, with implications for the overall economic and social environment.