Nautical tourism the basis of the systematic development

This paper deals with the study of nautical tourism, stressing the importance of efficient management of nautical tourism as a system. Nautical tourism is a complex system requiring the use of all patterns and regularities of the general system theory and principles for the management of integrated complex systems. The study aims to identify essential elements and characteristics of the nautical tourism in Croatia. Croatia has very favourable natural conditions for the development of nautical tourism, such as a long coastline, a great number of islands, islets and bays suitable for leisure mariners, as well as favourable climatic and hydrographic conditions. Besides basic natural spatial conditions and development potentials of nautical tourism, special importance is also given to the development of complementary activities. The authors examine the possibilities for the development of such activities, defining the concept of nautical economy as a basic guideline for the future development of nautical tourism in Croatia. Special emphasis is given to the development of complementary activities on islands, and parallels are drawn between the achievements in nautical economy of Croatia and nautical economy worldwide.