Society for Promotion and Advancement of Rural Knowledge (SPARK)

Our organization was established with the goal of promoting the development of rural areas, preserving and enhancing local knowledge, and strengthening communities. We believe that rural regions—especially those on the (semi-)periphery—are not just remnants of the past, but also keys to the future, where innovation, tradition, talent, and sustainability can go hand in hand.

Our mission is to build bridges between scientific research, local experience, and practical solutions. We support rural development, sustainable tourism, education, and community initiatives. We aim to contribute to making rural areas more livable, attractive, and competitive.

Through our journal, events, and projects, we create opportunities for knowledge sharing, dialogue, and collaboration. We are open to everyone who is committed to the future of rural life—be it researchers, local residents, entrepreneurs, or policymakers.

Join us and become part of a community that believes in the power of rural knowledge and the possibility of shared progress!

Application form 

Dr. Mária Vasvári, Ph.D., President

Dr. Tibor Kovács, Ph.D., Vice President

Dr. Szabolcs Mátyás, Ph.D., Vice President

Rural Areas and Tourism Research is a distinguished international scholarly journal published under the auspices of the Society for Promotion and Advancement of Rural Knowledge (SPARK). Initiated by a global network of experts, the journal operates through an editorial and scientific committee comprising leading figures in the field, ensuring a broad international scope. Its issues are made available exclusively in an online format.

The journal invites original contributions across a wide range of disciplines, including geography, tourism studies, talent geography, regional development, geosites (geographical heritage sites), geoheritage research, cartography, geographic information science, and spatial analysis. Papers addressing urban and rural landscape research, alongside other interconnected fields, are also welcome. Central to its mission is the promotion of original and scientifically rigorous contributions that enhance the understanding and development of these areas. The journal strongly encourages interdisciplinary research, integrating both local and global perspectives to address complex challenges.

Rural Areas and Tourism Research adheres to the highest scholarly standards by utilizing a double-blind peer review process, with each article reviewed by at least two anonymous experts. To be accepted, submissions must demonstrate significant theoretical, conceptual, methodological, or empirical contributions to geography and its related fields, ensuring that each paper is rooted in and expands upon the relevant body of literature.

The journal's audience is diverse, encompassing academics (faculty members, researchers), practitioners, and students with an interest in geography, tourism, and geosites. The journal particularly values contributions that synthesize insights from the social and physical sciences (including environmental studies), aiming to advance the understanding, promotion, and development of specific places, regions, and territories. Papers applying spatial analyses and geographic theory to address critical issues in the human-environment relationship are especially encouraged.

As an international academic platform, Rural Areas and Tourism Research welcomes submissions from any region or locality worldwide. It adheres strictly to international standards of publication ethics and scholarly conduct.

Chairman of the editorial board:

Mária VASVÁRI, Ph.D, University of Debrecen 

Editor-in-Chief: 

Tibor KOVÁCS, Ph.D, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Associate Editors: 

Borbála BENKHARD, Ph.D., University of Debrecen, Hungary

Sándor BERGHAUER, Ph.D., Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education, Ukraine

Zélia BREDA, Ph.D.,  University of Aveiro, Portugal 

Péter CSORBA, Prof.,  University of Debrecen, Hungary

Réka HORECZKI, Ph.D., ELTE CERS Institute for Regional Studies, Hungary 

Bobby MACAULAY, Ph.D., Centre for Mountain Studies, Scotland, UK

Csongor MÁTHÉ, Ph.D., Babeș-Bolyai University, Romania

Szabolcs MÁTYÁS, Ph.D., Ludovika University of Public Service, Hungary

Luís Filipe NEVES CARREIRA DOS SANTOS, Ph.D., Polytechnic University of Tomar, Portugal

Language editor: 

Afide Cansu ŞIMŞEK, Türkiye   

RATR is an English-language journal. Either US or British/Commonwealth English usage is appropriate for manuscripts, but not a mixture of these.

The information of the authors

Title: Center-aligned, font type: Times New Roman, font size: 14 pt. 

Under no circumstances should the authors’ personal data be made public. We will request an anonymous PDF upload!"

Abstract: The abstract contains between 200 and 250 words (if is possible one paragraph); The abstract must contain a brief description of the aim of the article, methods of work and results. It should contain no comments and recommendations, font size: 10 pt.

Keywords: The list of key words must contain between 5 and 6 word, font size: 10 pt. 

Paper size: A4, MS  Word (docx, doc), Font type: Times New Roman, font size: 12 pt., length of paper: max. 40 000 characters with spaces.

Figures (maps, images): The figures must appear on the page where the references about them are; The title of the figure must be numbered with Arabian numbers (e.g.: “Figure 1. The map of the…”), which have to appear under the figure; The source of the figures/data must be written under the explanations; The figures should be black and white/color and there can be used pictures with a very good contrast.

Tables: The tables are included in the text; The tables are numbered with Arabian numbers; The title of the table (e.g.: “Table 3”) which have to appear befor the table; The source of the tables must be written under the explanations.

Citations: Citations will be in APA system. 

1., Please submit your manuscript using the attached submission form.

2., Upon receipt, the Editor-in-Chief will conduct an initial assessment to determine whether the manuscript aligns with the scope and profile of our journal. You will be notified of this preliminary decision via email, so please make sure to provide a valid and regularly monitored email address.

3., If the manuscript is deemed suitable for the journal, it will be sent to two independent, anonymous peer reviewers. Reviewers will evaluate the submission according to the following categories:

• Reject

• Accept with major revisions

• Accept with minor revisions

• Accept without revisions
  
  

4., Reviewer comments will be forwarded to the author.

5., Revisions must be submitted within the specified deadline. Please use track changes in the manuscript to highlight modifications, and include a separate document responding to each reviewer’s comments.

6., After reviewing the revised manuscript and the author’s responses, the editorial board will make the final decision regarding publication.

UPLOAD 

E-mail: 

spark.20250719@gmail.com