The aim of this paper is to examine potentials and obstacles for the development of rural tourism in the Republic of Srpska. The analysis of both the potential and the integration of the entities crucial for the development of rural tourism, as well as the limiting factors that lead to stagnation in the development of rural tourism, is covered. Also, the goal is to explore the views of users and providers of rural tourism services and institutions dealing with the tourism industry on the state of the tourist offer and the limiting factors of its development. Rural destinations are becoming more attractive and more visited by tourists due to the natural environment, clean air, manifestations, possibilities of consuming traditional food and beverages, sports and various other activities. However, the ruin of rural tourism is reflected in the fact that it can violate the original form of rural space through various forms of environmental pollution of space, water and air. Preservation of existing resources is a necessity because the preserved environment is a prerequisite for the development of rural tourism. Republic of Srpska has seen a steady growth in the tourist visit in recent years, but there are still limiting factors for the development of rural tourism, which are most often seen in the poorly developed infrastructure of certain rural destinations, lack of accommodation capacities and the lack of qualified labor force, cooperation of several actors. It cannot be developed without the cooperation of regional and local authorities, non-governmental organizations, tourist organizations and businesses with local people. These actors should help the development of rural tourism through various subsidies, incentives, infrastructure construction and marketing.Republika Srpska faces the problem of insufficient promotion of tourism products, which reflects on the bad image of the entire tourism. The strong competition from the countries of the region, primarily Croatia and Montenegro, draws a large number of tourists, which points to the fact that the consumers of tourism services of the Republic of Srpska are in the highest estimate domestic guests of a poor standard of living. The development of rural tourism should be based on an integrated approach to development and care for resources. Only preserved resources can be a condition for the development of rural tourism now and in the future.
