The third such congress brought together 230 participants from 12 countries.
Eastern Croatia's Osijek-Baranja County was cited as an example because of its rivers, forests, traditional customs, hunting, fishing and bicycling.
According to Dijana Katica, the chair of the organising committee, all activities in rural tourism must be in keeping with sustainable development.
On Saturday, participants in the congress will visit the Baranja region which includes the most preserved wetland in Europe - Kopacki Rit.