Geospatial indexing for wine tourism planning in support of rural development: Case study of wine-growing regions Šumadija (Serbia) and Slavonia (Croatia)

Jovanović, Radmila; Manić, Emilija; Lončar, Jelena

doi:0016-7282 (print)

- ris
- BibTeX
- EndNote
- Csv

Geospatial indexing for wine tourism planning in support of rural development: Case study of wine-growing regions Šumadija (Serbia) and Slavonia (Croatia) Jovanović, RadmilaManić, EmilijaLončar, Jelena

Object structure

Geospatial indexing for wine tourism planning in support of rural development: Case study of wine-growing regions Šumadija (Serbia) and Slavonia (Croatia)

Geographia Polonica

Jovanović, Radmila : Autor ; Manić, Emilija : Autor ; Lončar, Jelena : Autor

wine tourism potential ; GIS-based methods ; WTDI ; Šumadija ; Slavonija ; Serbia ; Croatia

This paper examines a GIS-based methodology for assessing wine tourism potential as a tool for rural development, focusing on the wine-growing regions of Šumadija (Serbia) and Slavonia (Croatia). The proposed approach combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with a multi-criteria decision-making method based on open-source data. By applying spatial overlay, hotspot analysis, and index-based evaluation, the study identifies zones with high potential for wine tourism and developmental gaps. The WTDI (Wine Tourism Development Index) provides a transferable and replicable model for identifying wine tourism development zones in regions with limited data availability. The results revealed apparent spatial differences between the regions (urban and peri-urban areas such as Kragujevac, Aranđelovac, and Topola in Šumadija show higher tourism potential, while Slavonia displays a more balanced distribution of tourism potential, with notable hotspots around Požega, Kutjevo, and Daruvar). At the same time, both regions demonstrate a strong foundation for future wine tourism development, underpinned by improved wine quality and rich cultural heritage. However, neither region has yet reached the maturity associated with established wine tourism destinations. The WTDI model offers a scalable and replicable tool for identifying tourism development zones in data-scarce contexts. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based, spatially informed planning in unlocking the untapped wine tourism potential of rural regions. The proposed methodology offers a low-cost, replicable framework for local governments and development agencies to make data-informed decisions in promoting sustainable rural tourism.

Alonso, A. D., Fraser, R. A., & Cohen, D. A. (2007). Investigating differences between domestic and international winery visitors in New Zealand. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 19(2), 114-126. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511060710758678
Bakan, R., Tubić, D., & Jaković, B. (2021). Agritourism farms as stakeholders of gastronomic experience. Agricultural and Conspectus Scientificus, 86(3), 283-291.
Bakan, R., Tubić, D., & Jaković, B. (2021). Associating to create unique tourist experiences of small wineries in continental Croatia - opportunities and constraints. ToSEE - Tourism in Southern and Eastern Europe, 6, 53-68. https://doi.org/10.20867/tosee.06.4
Banožić, M., Žalac, G., & Sumpor, M. (2015). Mapping of tourism potential: The preconditions for the development of tourism in continental Croatia. Ekonomski vjesnik / Econviews-Review of Contemporary Business, Entrepreneurship and Economic Issues, 28(1), pp. 69-83.
Batista, E. S. F., Barranco, R., Proietti, P., Pigaiani, C., & Lavalle, C. (2021). A new European regional tourism typology based on hotel location patterns and geographical criteria. Annals of Tourism Research, 89, 103077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.103077
Bennett, M. M., & Smith, C. L. (2017). Advances in using multitemporal night-time lights satellite imagery to detect, estimate, and monitor socioeconomic dynamics. Remote Sensing of Environment, 192, 176-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.01.005
Blažević, I., & Knežević, R. (2006). Turistička geografija Hrvatske. Opatija: Fakultet za turistički i hotelski menadžment.
Bojnec, Š., & Jurinčič, I. (2006). The role of wine consortia in wine marketing and wine tourism development in Slovenia. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Linking Systems Thinking, Innovation, Quality, Entrepreneurship and Environment (pp. 81-87). Maribor.
Bolfek, B., Jakičić, D., & Lončarić, B. (2012). Polazišta za brendiranje Slavonije kao turističke destinacije. Ekonomski vjesnik: Review of Contemporary Entrepreneurship, Business, and Economic Issues, 25(2), 363-374.
Booking.com. (2025; accessed 23 March). Accommodation and tourism facilities data. https://www.booking.com
Boranić, Ž. S., Čorak, S., Klarić, Z., Kunst, I., Tomljenović, R., Marković Vukadin, I., & Sivački, M. (2019). Strateški marketinški plan turizma Slavonije s planom brendiranja za razdoblje 2019-2025. Institut za turizam. https://www.tzgsb.hr/static/pdf/Strate%C5%A1ki_master_plan_SLAVONIJA.pdf
Brajan, Z. (2020). Vinogradi u krajobrazu (Interna skripta). Poreč: Veleučilište u Rijecii Valeri.
Brauckmann, S. (2017). City tourism and the sharing economy - potential effects of online peer-to-peer marketplaces on urban property markets. Journal of Tourism Futures, 3(2), 114-126. https://doi.org/10.1108/JTF-05-2017-0027
Bruwer, J. (2003). South African wine routes: Some perspectives on the wine tourism industry's structural dimensions and wine tourism product. Tourism Management, 24(4), 423-435. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0261-5177(02)00105-x
Bruwer, J., & Alant, K. (2009). The hedonic nature of wine tourism consumption: An experiential view. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 21(3), 235-257. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511060910985962
Carlsen, J. (2004). A review of global wine tourism research. Journal of Wine Research, 15(1), 5-13. https://doi.org/10.1080/0957126042000300281
Čengić, D. (2013). Elaborat: Vinari Požeško-slavonske županije i izazovi europskog tržišta. Institut društvenih znanosti Ivo Pilar - Centar za istraživanje poduzetništva i Požeško-slavonska županija.
Charters, S., & Ali-Knight, J. (2002). Who is the wine tourist? Tourism Management, 23(3), 311-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(01)00079-6
Čikić, J., & Petrović, M. (2015). Rural families and households in post-socialist transition: Serbian experience. East European Studies, 21, 35-62. https://doi.org/10.1515/eec-2015-0003
Cindrić, I. (2017). Brendiranje slavonsko-srijemsko-baranjskih vina - Analiza pokušaja i mogućnosti (Master's thesis). Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Fakultet političkih znanosti, Odjel novinarstva.
Čop, T., Juračak, J., & Njavro, M. (2019). Production and business results of wine producers in continental and Adriatic Croatia. Proceedings in Food System Dynamics, 93-101. https://doi.org/10.18461/PFSD.2019.1910
Dimitrijević, M., Ristić, L., & Bošković, N. (2022). Rural tourism as a driver of economic and rural development in the Republic of Serbia. Hotel and Tourism Management, 10(1), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.5937/menhottur2201079d
Drobnjaković, M., Petrović, G., Karabašević, D., Vukotić, S., Mirčetić, V., & Popović, V. (2021). Socioeconomic transformation of Šumadija District (Serbia). Journal of Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijić", 71(2), 163-180.
Drobnjaković, M., Stojanović, Ž., & Josipović, S. (2022). Rural areas and rural economy in Serbia. In E. Manić, V. Nikitović, & P. Đurić (Eds.), Geography of Serbia - Nature, People, and Economy (pp. 289-303). Springer.
Državni zavod za statistiku - Republika Hrvatska. (2001). Statistički ljetopis Republike Hrvatske 2000. Zagreb.
Državni zavod za statistiku - Republika Hrvatska. (2001). Statistički ljetopis Republike Hrvatske 2010. Zagreb.
Državni zavod za statistiku - Republika Hrvatska. (2012 & 2023). Statistička izvješća / Statistical reports: Turizam u 2011 and 2022. Zagreb.
Državni zavod za statistiku - Republika Hrvatska. (2024). Statističko priopćenje 2024. Zagreb.
Earth Observation Group. (2012). VIIRS Day/Night Band Nighttime Lights Version 1. NASA/NOAA National Centres for Environmental Information. https://eogdata.mines.edu
Earth Observation Group. (2021). VIIRS Day/Night Band Nighttime Lights Version 1. NASA/NOAA National Centres for Environmental Information. https://eogdata.mines.edu
Fan, X., & Cheng, Y. (2019). Assessing a tourism city from an ecosystem services perspective: The evaluation of tourism service in Liyang, China. Land, 12(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/land12112019
Gao, Z., Zeng, H., Zhang, X., Wu, H., Zhang, R., Sun, Y., … Liu, L. (2024). Exploring tourist spatiotemporal behaviour differences and tourism infrastructure supply - demand pattern fusing social media and nighttime light remote sensing data. International Journal of Digital Earth, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/17538947.2024.2310723
Gergeľová, M., Labant, S., Mixtaj, L., & Weiss, E. (2017). GIS tools for assessing wine tourism potential in the Slovak Republic. In 2017 Baltic Geodetic Congress (BGC Geomatics) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/bgc.geomatics.2017.70
Getz, D. (2000). Explore wine tourism: Management, development & destinations. Cognizant Communication Corporation.
Getz, D., & Brown, G. (2006). Critical success factors for wine tourism regions: A demand analysis. Tourism Management, 27(1), 146-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2004.08.002
Gradska turistička organizacija Kragujevac. (2025, accessed 11 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://gtokg.org.rs/
Grgić, I., Žimbrek, T., Tratnik, M., Markovina, J., & Juraak, J. (2010). Quality of life in rural areas of Croatia: To stay or to leave? African Journal of Agricultural Research, 5(8), 653-660.
Group of Authors. (2023). Elaborat: Prilagodba vinogradarskog sektora u Hrvatskoj klimatskim promjenama. Hrvatska agencija za poljoprivredu i hranu; Prirodoslovno-matematički fakultet Zagreb; Agronomski fakultet Zagreb; Ekonomski fakultet u Osijeku, Zagreb.
Hall, C. M., Johnson, G., & Mitchell, R. (2000). Wine tourism and regional development. Routledge.
Hall, C. M., Sharples, L., Mitchell, R., Macionis, N., & Cambourne, B. (Eds.). (2003). Food tourism around the world: Development, management, and markets. Butterworth-Heinemann. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080477862
Hall, C. M., & Mitchell, R. (2008). Wine marketing: A practical guide. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080553283
Hall, C. M., Johnson, G., & Mitchell, R. (2009). Wine tourism and regional development. In C. M. Hall, L. Sharples, B. Cambourne, & N. Macionis (Eds.), Wine tourism around the world (pp. 185-205). Routledge.
Holmes, M. R. (2017). Integrated rural wine tourism: A case study approach. Journal of Wine Research, 28(3), 216-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571264.2017.1336081
Huang, D., Chi, X. (2015). Application of the Delphi-AHP-DEA-FCE model in competitiveness evaluation of sports tourism destinations. International Journal of Simulation: Systems, Science and Technology, 16(1B). https://doi.org/10.5013/ijssst.a.16.1b.20
International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). (n.d.; accessed 24 March 2025). Country report. https://www.oiv.int/what-we-do/country-report?oiv
Islam, K. S., Wu, Q., Islam, M. R., & Abdullah, M. H. (2025). Unveiling the drivers of unplanned urbanisation: A high-resolution night light development index approach for assessing regional inequality and urban growth in Dhaka. Remote Sensing, 17(8), 1397. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17081397
Jelić Milković, S., Štefanić, I., & Tolušić, Z. (2020). Analysis of distributional and promotional activities of winemakers. Ekonomski vjesnik / Econviews, 2, 397-408.
Jovanović, R., Almeida García, F., & Cortés-Macías, R. (2022). Evaluation of suitability areas for ecotourism using multi-criteria analysis: The case of the central Serbian viticultural region. European Journal of Geography, 19, 19-41. https://doi.org/10.48088/ejg.r.jov.13.3.019.041
Jovanović, R., Almeida-García, F., Cortés-Macías, R., & Parzych, K. (2025). Assessment of wine tourism potential in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 49, 100863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2025.100863
Kastenholz, E., Paço, A., & Nave, A. (2023). Wine tourism in rural areas - hopes and fears amongst residents. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 15(1), 29-40. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-08-2022-0095
Kopjar, K. (2021). Wine tourism strategy proposal for the Croatian wine region of Slavonia and the Danube (Master's thesis). Universitat Rovira Virgili, Université de Bordeaux, Université de Porto.
Kranjčević, J., & Gartner, W. C. (2019). Sectoral heritage characteristics for wine region development: The influence of agriculture, culture, and tourism. Acta Turistica, 31(1), 7-34. https://doi.org/10.22598/at/2019.31.1.7
Kubát, P. (2019). Development of wine tourism in the Šumadija region. In D. Hampel (Ed.), Book of extended abstracts "European Scientific Conference PEFnet 2019" (pp. 79-81). Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University in Brno.
Lampropoulos, V., Panagiotopoulou, M., & Stratigea, A. (2021). Assessing the performance of current strategic policy directions towards unfolding the potential of the culture-tourism nexus in the Greek territory. Heritage, 4(4), 3157-3185. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage4040177
Li, X., Xu, H., Chen, X., & Li, C. (2013). Potential of NPP-VIIRS nighttime light imagery for modelling the regional economy of China. Remote Sensing, 5(6), 3057-3081. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs5063057
Lin, Y., Liu, Y., Ouyang, Z., Meng, C., & Xiao, Y. (2025). Mechanisms and influencing factors of cultural ecosystem service value realisation. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 26, 100584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100584
Maksimović, M., Pivac, T., & Đorđević, J. (2021). History of wine tourism in Serbia. Turizam, 25(4), 212-223. https://doi.org/10.5937/turizam25-34174
Marković, J. Đ. (1966). Geografske oblasti Socijalističke Federativne Republike Jugoslavije. Zavod za izdavanje udžbenika SR Srbije.
Mashkov, R., & Shoval, N. (2023). Using high-resolution GPS data to create a tourism Intensity-Density Index. Tourism Geographies, 25(6), 1657-1678. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2023.2276910
Meler, M. (2015). Wine tourism as a centripetal force in the development of rural tourism. In 3rd International Scientific Conference Tourism in Southern and Eastern Europe (pp. 197-209).
Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede. (2025; accessed 25 March). Vinarski registar Srbije. http://www.minpolj.gov.rs/vinarski-registar/
Mrshikj, J., & Vadnjal, J. (2016). Strategies for the growth of a family business operating in the Macedonian wine industry. Entrepreneurial Executive, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-06-2015-0142
NASA Earth Observation Group. (2021). VIIRS VNL V2 Nighttime Lights (2012-2021) [Data set]. https://eogdata.mines.edu
Nurković, R. (2017). Geographical distribution of the vineyards and wine production in rural areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Follia Geographica, 59(2), 50-59.
Oltean, F. D., & Gabor, M. R. (2022). Wine tourism - A sustainable management tool for rural development and vineyards: Cross-cultural analysis of the consumer profile from Romania and Moldova. Agriculture, 12(10), 1614. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12101614
OpenStreetMap. (2025). Points of interest related to tourism in Šumadija and Slavonia [Data set]. https://www.openstreetmap.org
Parat, J. (2017). Antički pisani izvori o vinogradarstvu u južnoj Panoniji. In Zbornik radova "Vino i vinogradarstvo u povijesti Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje" (pp. 19-40). Slavonski Brod & Erdut: Hrvatski institut za povijest - Podružnica za povijest Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje.
Petrović, D. M., Vujko, A., Gajić, T., Vuković, B. D., Radovanović, M., Jovanović, M. J., & Vuković, N. (2018). Tourism as an approach to sustainable rural development in post-socialist countries: A comparative study of Serbia and Slovenia. Sustainability, 10(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010054
Pisk, S. (2017). Ordo sanctipauli primierimitae i vinogradarstvo u kasnosrednjovjekovnoj Slavoniji. In Zbornik radova "Vino i vinogradarstvo u povijesti Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje" (pp. 38-39). Slavonski Brod & Erdut: Hrvatski institut za povijest - Podružnica za povijest Slavonije, Srijema i Baranje.
Popović, T., & Relja, R. (2024). The role of tourism as a factor of rural development in the strategic and field context of Croatia: Experts' perspectives. In Economic and Social Development: Book of Proceedings: 106th International Scientific Conference on Economic and Social Development (pp. 124-139).
Prša, I., Cenbauer, D., & Grgić, I. (2024). Regionalna obilježja proizvodnje grožđa u Republici Hrvatskoj. Glasnik Zaštite Bilja, 47(4), 54-60. https://doi.org/10.31727/gzb.47.4.7
Rodić, D. (1981). Geografija Jugoslavije. 2 Stanovništvo, privreda, naselja i republike. Beograd: Naučna knjiga.
RZS. (1975). Opštine u SR Srbiji 1974. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (1981). Opštine u SR Srbiji 1980. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (1991). Opštine u SR Srbiji 1990. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2001). Opštine u Srbiji 2000. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2011). Opštine u Srbiji 2010. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2012). Opštine u Srbiji 2011. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2021). Opštine i regioni u Republici Srbiji 2020. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2022). Opštine u Srbiji 2021. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
RZS. (2024). Opštine i regioni u Republici Srbiji 2023. Beograd: Republički zavod za statistiku.
Samaržija, L. (2016). Analysis of economic potential in the sector of viticulture and enology in PožegaSlavonia County. Vallis Aurea: Journal of Sustainable Development and Innovation, 2(1), 31-39.
Savić, S., &Vukotić, M. (2018). Viticulture zoning in Montenegro. Bulletin of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Horticulture, 75(1). https://doi.org/10.15835/buasmvcn-hort:003917
Sigala, M. (2020). Tourism and COVID-19: Impacts and implications for advancing and resetting industry and research. Journal of Business Research, 117, 312-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.06.015
Simonović, Z., Petrović, D., & Ćurčić, N. (2019). Production of grapes and wine in Serbia. Ekonomika, 65(4), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.5937/ekonomika1904011S
Sokolić, I. (2012). Kratka priča o hrvatskom vinogradarstvu i vinarstvu. Acta Turistica Nova, 6(1), 21-26.
Štancl, B., & Milat, V. (1984). Vina Jugoslavije. Zagreb: Mladost.
Starczewski, A., Goetzen, P., & Er, M. J. (2020). A new method for automatic determination of the DBSCAN parameters. Journal of Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing Research, 10(3), 209-221. https://doi.org/10.2478/jaiscr-2020-0014
Stevenson, T. (2014). Where on Earth next for sparkling wine? https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2014/02/where-on-earth-next-for-sparkling-wine
Tezanovik, D., Filipovik, S., & Banjak, M. (2020). Gastro events, an important factor in the preservation of culture, tradition, and regional development: A case study of the Šumadija district. International Journal, 3(1), 294-304. https://doi.org/10.46763/YFNTS2031294t
Tomay, K., & Tuboly, E. (2023). The role of social capital and trust in the success of local wine tourism and rural development. Sociologia Ruralis, 63(1), 200-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/soru.12396
Turistička organizacija Aranđelovac. (2025; accessed 11 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://arandjelovac.org/
Turistička organizacija Knića. (2025; accessed 11 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://www.knicturizam.org.rs/
Turistička organizacija Oplenac-Topola. (2025; accessed 11 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://topolaoplenac.org.rs/
Turistička organizacija Rača. (2025; accessed 11 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://tor.rs/
Turistička zajednica Bjelogorsko-bilogradske županije. (2025; accessed 13 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://tzbbz.hr/
Turistička zajednica Brodsko-posavske županije. (2025; accessed 13 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://tzbpz.hr/
Turistička zajednica Osječko-baranjske županije. (2025; accessed 13 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://visitslavoniabaranja.com/dogadaji/
Turistička zajednica Požeško-slavonske županije. (2025; accessed 13 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://visitslavonia.hr/ (Accessed March 13, 2025).
Turistička zajednica Virovitičko-podravske županije. (2025; accessed 13 March). Lokalni turistički resursi i podaci o atrakcijama. https://www.slavonija-podravina.hr/hr/naslovna/.
Udruženje promocije vinarija i srodnih delatnosti. (2025; accessed 25 March). Vinarije u Hrvatskoj. https://www.vinarnice.hr/hr/vinarije-u-hrvatskoj/Vagena, A., & Manoussakis, G. (2021). Group analysis of official hotel classification systems: A recent study. In G. Sheela, K. (Ed.), Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research, 4, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/castr/v4/2173F
Vagena, A., & Manoussakis, G. (2021). Group analysis of official hotel classification systems: A recent study. In G. Sheela, K. (Ed.), Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research, 4, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/castr/v4/2173F
Viticulture Register of Croatia. (2025; accessed 18 March). Agencija za plaćanja u poljoprivredi, ribarstvu i ruralnom razvoju. https://www.apprrr.hr/registri/
Vulevic, A., Roy, S., Castanho, R. A., Franco, M., & Couto, G. (2024). Exploring the geo-tourism potential and its accessibility in the Danube region of Serbia: A geo-statistical approach. In Urban agglomeration: Extracting lessons for sustainable development. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1004744
Zakić, Z., & Stojanović, Ž. (2008). Ekonomika agrara. Beograd: CID - Ekonomski fakultet.
Zhang, Z., Wang, F., & Deng, L. (2024). Identifying node-corridor-network of tourist flow and influencing factors using GPS big data: A case study in Gansu and Qinghai provinces, China. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 135(2), 104271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2024.104271
Zhou, Y., Li, X., & Yang, Z. (2022). Spatial coupling characteristics between tourism POI and nighttime light data in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Metropolitan Area. Sustainability, 14(14), 8371. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14148371