Possibility of tourism development in the area of Nature park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje was explored in a way to improve quality of local inhabitants’ life, while the fundamental value of that area is not endangered. The existing condition of tourist offer and the infrastructure of that area was determined and described perceiving space as a whole. After analysis of collected data and good examples of tourist activities in protected areas, as well as survey of visitors and employees of Nature park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje point of view, appropriate type of tourist activity was recommended for the explored area. Those two groups were chosen because visitors, without whom the development of tourism is not possible, are final users of that space, as well as employees of Public management who participate not only in making, but also in the implementation of the management plan of Nature park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje. The majority of visitors have chosen sport and recreational tourism as the appropriate type of tourism, to which the Nature park Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje should direct their development. According to that, locations for sport and recreational purpose were analysed in existing and valid spatial planning documentation and success of their spatial placement was tested trough vulnerability model. For locations with unsuccessful spatial placement some of protection measures were proposed.