The subject of this research is to look at the attitudes of spa tourists towards complementary medicine and the possibilities of its application within spa services. The aim of the research is to identify certain scientific results that can contribute to the creation of an adequate tourism product. In the research, a prospective study is used and it was done by applying a standardized questionnaire. Testing the correlation of the answers given was examined and shown by the Analysis The Pearson Correlation method. The obtained results confirmed the hypotheses: complementary medicine is a significant component of the sustainable development of health tourism in spa destinations in Serbia, and that the organization of an adequate complementary medicine tourism event can increase tourists' motivation for visits and their significant relation to nature-based tourism, which would significantly affect on sustainable tourism development of spa tourism. The intensification of the growth of awareness among the respondents about the importance of complementary medicine in tourism planning and development is evident, and by providing socio-cultural, economic and environmental benefits, the basic postulates of sustainable tourism development are directly fulfilled.
endemična flora i fauna, raznovrstan ekosistem, postojanje ramsarskih staništa, postojanje zakonske legislative koja reguliše zaštitu, bogata socio-kulturna baština lokalnog stanovništva, postojanje zona zaštite unutar područja
The Deliblato Sands Special Nature Reserve encompasses five municipalities and several settlements. This significantly protected region has a strong relationship between its ecosystem and the people who live there. The local population benefits from various advantages provided by this reserve. The residents’ quality of life greatly depends on the reserve’s resources. When used responsibly, they can guarantee a sustainable system with assets that are renewable. Additionally, both locals and tourists benefit from the utilization of forest space for recreation. Above all, endangered plant and animal species are protected in the Deliblato Sands woodlands. Therefore, the role of the local population in protecting this reserve is crucial for the survival of these species. Visitors from both domestic and foreign countries visit this reserve each year in considerable numbers. The study included a quantitative methodology, in which data were collected using questionnaires. The study’s goal is to find out whether the nature reserve has an impact on residents’ lives, activities, and habits, i.e., whether characteristics have an impact on respondents’ contentment. This research aims to examine how the protected area (PA) affects the life of the local community. A total of 1450 residents were surveyed regarding the impact of the Deliblato Sands ecosystem on their habits and activities. Analysis of the data indicates that the inhabitants are significantly impacted by the PA. The strongest impacts are grouped into the ecological and socio-cultural dimensions, while the economic dimension is the one with the weakest impact. The study’s value is evident in the crucial information that was supplied for the creation of national and local planning documents pertaining to the development of rural areas and tourism. The active participation of communities must be the foundation of any planning for tourism growth.
The sustainable development of tourism in protected areas and the planning of its development is extremely important for mountain regions. The local population and tourists have a very important role in this process. Therefore, surveys of the local population and visitor satisfaction represent the basis of this research. The Vršac Mountains Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL) could represent a significant destination for sustainable tourism. This mountainous area is characterized by a favorable geographical position, a diversity of natural and social factors, rare flora and fauna, and the rich ethno-social heritage of the local population. It is in a very favorable geographical position, and the proximity of the big cities Serbia and Romania, as well as many other factors, are important for tourism development in this area. A quantitative methodology was used for the purposes of this paper during our research. The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of tourism development on the satisfaction of residents and visitors of the ONL by applying a survey technique, with the help of a questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 1419 respondents were surveyed (789 residents and 630 visitors). The research results show that the ecological and socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability have the greatest importance for the respondents, and that these two dimensions of sustainability have the greatest impact on sustainable tourism in this protected area. Our main research hypothesis, which states that sustainable tourism has a positive impact on the satisfaction of residents and visitors, is fully confirmed. These data could be significant for tourism planning and the management of protected areas.
Tourism in protected natural areas (PNAs) has an important and very positive role in the tourism development of many countries.Whether the area of the Special Nature Reserve "Meadows of Great Bustard" (SNR) represents a significant potential for the development of tourism will be concluded in this paper by using two scientific methods.The obtained results from a conducted written questionnaire, as the first method, will be examined by a comparative analysis with related or the same results from the world practice research -the second method.This is the main task in this research.The obtained results can examine the main hypothesis that the SNR is a significant tourism potential for ecotourism both at the level of the Republic of Serbia and at the level of the countries in the region, such as Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other European countries.The main objective of this paper is to test the main hypothesis and to obtain certain results if this protected area may have an impact on the development of sustainable tourism.By enhancing sustainable tourism and protecting the space of this reserve, by implementing the national tourism offer, higher socio-cultural, economic and ecological benefits can be achieved.The results of this research indicate that forms of tourism such as: ecotourism, science tourism, trips, bird and animal watching, can be a basic form of tourist visits.The most significant potential of the SNR is the highly endangered species of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda), which is the symbol of this protected area.
Research on the impact of protected areas on sustainable tourism development is undeniable. It means that protected areas should be significant tourism destinations for the success of sustainable tourism. The improvement of natural values, reduction of negative tourism effects on the area, strengthening of the residents’ role in tourism planning, development of the nature-based form of tourism, adoption of legal regulations, and the provision of economic benefits for both managers and residents are the main activities of sustainable tourism development. The areas of Kopački Rit Nature Park in Croatia and Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve in Vojvodina Province (Northern Serbia) are parts of the European river protected area called “The European Amazon”, and are protected as the Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The aim of the research is to obtain significant results regarding the attitudes and satisfaction of 1225 residents with sustainable tourism development using a quantitative methodology (PoS model), and SPSS analysis of the carried-out questionnaire. The respondents’ attitudes are related to the ecological, economic, sociocultural, and institutional sustainability of the protected area as a tourism destination. In addition, interviews were conducted with the managers of natural assets and experts in their tourist development. Answers from the interviews were used to confirm the obtained results.
Countryside walking tourism contributes to sustainable rural socio-economic development. The purpose of the research is to observe the possibility of managing countryside walking tourism in a village according to the expectations of tourists during their travel and vacation in rural destinations. The research methodology was based on a descriptive statistical analysis using the survey for gathering data from the rural tourism demand market, and the VICE model for sustainable tourism for getting conclusions. The key result indicated that countryside walking tourism management should consider the tourists' expectations related to the clean environment. It preserved nature as the most influencing factor in the choice of a walking tour in rural destinations, and at the same time, it is more important to the female than to the male population. The authors recommend incorporating countryside walking tourism into walking strategies as a part of rural and tourism development policies.
The Nature Park Ponjavica (NP) is the habitat of strictly protected plant and animal species, located in AP Vojvodina, in southern Banat (Northern Serbia). The area of the park covers 302.96 ha. Protection zones I, II, and III have been established in the protected area of the NP. The NP includes the middle course of the Ponjavica River, which has preserved characteristics of watercourses of plain areas and coastal remains of wetland habitats. The most valuable area of this park in terms of protection is an island with an area of slightly less than 1 hectare. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the NP is classified as the fourth category—Habitat and species management area. The good geographical position of NP is one of its main characteristics. The NP can be a destination where specific forms of tourism can be developed, such as ecotourism, nature-based tourism, birdwatching, scientific and research tourism, etc. Numerous historical sites represent a significant potential for the development of cultural tourism. The research examined the influence of institutional, economic, ecological, and socio-cultural sustainability on the respondents’ satisfaction. The quantitative methodology in this research included a questionnaire as a survey instrument for respondents. A total of 547 residents were surveyed. The results of the research indicate that there is considerable satisfaction among residents with sustainable tourism. The results of the research can help in the development of numerous tourism development strategies in which the wetland is the primary resource.
Biosphere reserves are protected areas vital for the preservation of living and inanimate nature, including the protection of anthropogenic values and cultural heritage. The basins of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers stretch through Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, and Serbia and form a unique spatial unity. The Biosphere Reserve concept defines about 300,000 hectares of core and buffer zones and around 700,000 hectares of transition zones. This large, primarily marshy area is rich in natural and cultural heritage. This area is called “the Amazon of Europe” and represents the world’s first Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, “Mura-Drava-Danube,” among five countries. This biosphere reserve is important for the preservation of the natural and cultural values of the entire region. Especially rare plant and animal representatives live in this unique geographical unity. Some species inhabit only this area. A total of 900,000 people living around this reserve have a rich cultural tradition and heritage that needs to be protected. The objective of the research is to examine the function that the selected protected areas have in the sustainable development of tourism. Quantitative methodology was used in the research. An analysis of the conducted questionnaire was performed using the SPSS v.21 software, as well as a comparative analysis of the attitudes of 1295 residents from three countries. Residents’ attitudes refer to the level of ecological, economic, socio-cultural, and institutional sustainability of this biosphere reserve as a tourist destination. The research results indicate that the four dimensions of sustainability have significant values and that the selected areas have an important function in the sustainable development of tourism.
No abstract is provided for this article.
To determine the state of sustainable tourism development in the protected natural areas of AP Vojvodina, it is important to analyze and correlate certain indicators of sustainable tourism. It is also important to analyze the opinion of visitors according to the selected protected natural areas, from the perspective of experiences and potential suggestions for specific interventions, to improve the state of natural values and improve the area protection. As a final result, it can provide significant benefits for all participants of sustainable tourism development. This paper analyzed and presented the results of visitor responses regarding 5 selected protected natural areas on the territory of AP Vojvodina. These areas represent a significant sample for analysis and the results of the research can influence the overall assessment of the sustainable tourism development of the Province. Using the correlation method of obtained average values of estimated sustainability indicators, the relation of these indicators to sustainable tourism was defined. The results obtained can influence the constitution of proposals for the improvement of the natural values of these areas through the proper implementation of nature protection. By enhancing these natural values, benefits are provided to all participants in sustainable tourism development.
In the Deliblatska Peščara Special Nature Reserve (SNR) there are a large number of natural and social factors that affect the development of tourism. Such are: rare and endangered endemic flora and fauna that are important in the procedures of species protection, ecosystem, wetlands, socio-cultural heritage, the possibility of developing specific forms of tourism and other factors. The SNR has a relief that is present only in this protected area-dunes. This type of sand has influenced the specific flora and fauna that cannot be found in other areas. There are 18 settlements in the reserve that have significant cultural, monumental and archaeological heritage. The research aims to determine the satisfaction of residents with the function of the SNR in sustainable tourism development using a quantitative methodology and SPSS software. The responses from 510 residents indicate their satisfaction with the development of sustainable tourism in the SNR through ecological, economic and institutional sustainability of this tourism destination.
This paper presents the results of research of a significant number of activities with analysis, aimed at preventing the negative impact of tourism in the area of National park 'Fruška gora', in which tourism activities take place. Consideration of the existing situation and models of area protection, can have positive results through contributions to future planning strategies for the protection of this area and improvement of tourism development. The aim is to constitute new or implement existing protection measures with proper monitoring, for the purpose of achieving positive ecological and social results of the long-term character.
This paper presents experimental research into the attitudes of tourists towards the significance of protected areas with regard to tourism in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia. It is an area with significant rare plant and animal resources, as well as w?tlands, ecosystems, and hilly and mountainous areas. Several research methods have been used in the paper. The first method is to collect data using a written questionnaire that was completed by 215 visitors to different protected areas in AP Vojvodina. Their answers revealed their attitudes toward sustainable tourism in selected protected areas. After examining the differences in the answers using the Kruskal-Wallis test, the results of the survey conducted by the authors were examined by means of two comparative analyses of identical, related, and similar answers in selected case studies. Based on the results of the Kruskal-Wallis Test, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant difference in the assessments of the importance of activities and the forms of tourism chosen when visiting protected areas. The most important forms of tourism are ecotourism and adventure tourism. Tourists also identified hiking, cycling, and wildlife watching as the most important activities.
The importance of forest ecosystems in tourism and recreation to sustainable tourism (SUT) in protected areas (PARs) has been the subject of research in numerous studies. People are increasingly turning to nature and its values. To prevent impacts on forest ecosystems, protected area managers plan for SUT and recreation use. The SUT in the PARs is based on four main pillars of sustainability: ecological, economic, sociocultural, and institutional dimensions. In this study, the authors examined the significance of social and ecological elements in the evolution of sustainable tourism for residents and visitors of the Karadjordjevo Special Nature Reserve (Karadjordjevo), where the primary resource is the forest ecosystem. The aim of this research was to examine the state and prospects for the development of sustainable tourism in the nature reserve by observing the dimensions of sustainability. In addition, the aim was to determine whether sustainable tourism affects the satisfaction of residents and visitors of this nature reserve. The research employs a quantitative methodology and applies the Prism of Sustainability model, continuing the authors’ previous research of nature-based tourism on the Balkan Peninsula. Based on the analysis of 1240 replies, it may be inferred that the four facets of sustainability significantly influence the state of tourism and that SUT greatly affects respondents’ sentiments. The new insights from this research indicate that the respondents recognized the importance of sustainable tourism, although not all significant destination factors exist that can impact the protection of nature on the one hand and the development of tourism with no adverse environmental consequences on the other. The research results are important for the various SUT plans and documents related to the management of destinations with forest ecosystems.
The research analyzes the synergy between project management and green financial instruments for sustainable tourism development in Serbia. It examines the possibilities of financing sustainable tourism projects through green funds and analysis good practices in managing environmentally sustainable projects. The research is based on the collection of secondary data and uses analytical-synthetic, hypothetical deductive, and comparative methods. The research results show the potential of green funds in the projects of tourism in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainability cross-sectors of agriculture, forestry, and tourism, decarbonization and circular economy, pollution reduction and biodiversity conservation, sustainable rural development, green tourism initiatives, energy-efficient infrastructure and sustainable mobility, energy efficiency and emission reduction. A lack of experts and complex procedures for accessing funds are the main observed obstacles. The authors recommend project management education and simplification of procedures for accessing green funds while encouraging public-private partnerships for long-term sustainability.
The Special Nature Reserve “Titelski Breg” (TB) is a protected area (PA) of category I, located in the AP of Vojvodina in the south-eastern part of Bačka. The reserve covers an area of 496 ha. A protection zone covering an area of 8643 ha has been established around the PA. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that this PA is classified as a category IV habitat and species management area. Its good geographical and traffic position and close distance to Romania and Hungary, as well as the nation’s major cities, make this PA accessible to a sizable number of both domestic and foreign tourists. There are numerous plant and animal species in the reserve, which makes this area unique. The population living around this reserve has an exceptional and valuable cultural heritage, which represents significant complementary tourist motives. To examine the state of sustainable tourism (SuT) in TB and the impact of SuT on the satisfaction of the respondents (SoR), the PoS model of study was used. The quantitative methodology in this research included a questionnaire as the survey instrument for residents and visitors. There were 630 respondents altogether (400 locals and 230 guests). Four aspects of sustainability, economic, social, cultural, and institutional, were used to analyze the state of SuT in this PA. The study’s findings show that SuT significantly affected the SoR. Analyzing the role that additional protected areas may have in SuT can be supported by the research outcomes. Additionally, the proportion of each sustainability characteristic in SuT can suggest guidelines for national programs that aim to develop PAs and tourist development at the same time.
