The article reveals both positive and negative effects of interaction between rural tourism and the environment, enumerates basic normative acts which regulate these relations in the Republic of Moldova and emphasizes the dependence of tourism resources on the preferred forms of tourism. There are described various kinds of tourism activities in rural areas in terms of their effect on the environment, as well as various environment components that influence greatly human health. We have also provided some activities of a number of Moldovan rural complexes and examples of the resulting interdependence of environmental quality and the demand for recreation in the region.