Tourism as a complex and interdisciplinary phenomenon has always reflected the concrete reality. Its historical evolution should therefore be studied in the context of given social and cultural environments. The author first of all deals with basic problems of historical research in tourism : its notion, characteristics and significance. He highlights some important issues dealt within relevant world literature and proposes a classification of sources for a historical approach of tourism.
A particular emphasis is placed on Croatia, namely, the coastal part, tracing back its rich historical features in tourism. Here, a number of details will be given describing the beginnings of catering activities on the littoral which were closely connected with the influx of first visitors, some 150 years ago. At that time, initial organizations were founded and later-on also some destinations proclaimed as resorts by official authorities. A specific infrastructure began to develop quite early as well. A number of coastal resorts, like Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar, Rab, Losinj, Crikvenica, Opatija, etc., have already celebrated their jubiliees in tourism proving a long and continuing tradition in the national and international markets.
A scientific project « History of Tourism in Croatia » is currently under way and it is seen as an useful element of the future-oriented tourism policy.