This paper investigates the potential of tourism as an economic activity to play an important role in regional development. This is achieved through the study of the advantages and disadvantages of tourism development at regional level, considering the lalest trends in the world tourism market (development of special interest tourism, sustainable development, tourism urbanization, super-segmentation of tourism demand, niche tourism markets, etc). The arguments on the advantages offered by tourism are based on the neoclassical comparative cost theory. The development of tourism activity at regional level needs certain prerequisites that comprise basic tourism strategy and policy elements for tourism to have positive results in the regions' economy. Finally, basic conclusions are drawn, to serve as starting points for a scientific discussion and evaluation of the possibilities offered by tourism to combat underdevelopment in some regions.
