Tourist development in Estonia

Abstract

This paper examines three themes in the development of tourism in Estonia since independence in 1991: the role of tourism in integrated rural development, the symbolic imagery of contemporary tourism and its sustainability. It draws attention to conflicts between the economic advantages of an expansion in tourism and its sociocultural and environmental influences. In particular, it argues that the benefits of rural tourism may not be as large as has sometimes been suggested, and that many of these will accrue more directly to the urban sector of the economy.