<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The research involved a comparison of two case studies dealing with the perceptions of the local population to tourism. The effects and the control of tourism development were analyzed, as well as the availability of information on sustainable tourism and impact on the community in two national parks (NPs) in Serbia. The survey method was applied on a sample of 227 (NP Đerdap) and 210 (NP Tara) respondents. The survey results identified the strong positive perception of the presence of tourists among the two categories of respondents and also certain differences regarding economic benefits of tourism. Research also recognized a poor impact of tourism on the local community in terms of their knowledge and personal involvement. Education and employment in tourism industry were found to be strong factors affecting the residents’ perceptions. Some independent variables significantly predicted the level of local population’s support for tourism in both national parks (tourism impact on job creation, tourism impact on fostering a local culture, etc.). This comparative analysis provides inputs for directing future tourism programmes and devising a development policies adjusted to the needs of the local community.</p></abstract>

The research involved a comparison of two case studies dealing with the perceptions of the local population to tourism. The effects and the control of tourism development were analyzed, as well as the availability of information on sustainable tourism and impact on the community in two national parks (NPs) in Serbia. The survey method was applied on a sample of 227 (NP Đerdap) and 210 (NP Tara) respondents. The survey results identified the strong positive perception of the presence of tourists among the two categories of respondents and also certain differences regarding economic benefits of tourism. Research also recognized a poor impact of tourism on the local community in terms of their knowledge and personal involvement. Education and employment in tourism industry were found to be strong factors affecting the residents’ perceptions. Some independent variables significantly predicted the level of local population’s support for tourism in both national parks (tourism impact on job creation, tourism impact on fostering a local culture, etc.). This comparative analysis provides inputs for directing future tourism programmes and devising a development policies adjusted to the needs of the local community.

Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism Impact on Community in National Parks in Serbia

Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”

European Countryside

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

The research involved a comparison of two case studies dealing with the perceptions of the local population to tourism. The effects and the control of tourism...

Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism Impact on Community in National Parks in Serbia

Published Online: Apr 15, 2019

Page range: 124 - 142

Received: Sep 13, 2018

Accepted: Jan 25, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2019-0008

Keywords
residents’ perceptions, comparative analysis, tourism impacts, NP Đerdap, NP Tara, Serbia

© 2019 Jovana Brankov et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Residents’ Perceptions of Tourism Impact on Community in National Parks in Serbia

Published Online: Apr 15, 2019

Page range: 124 - 142

Received: Sep 13, 2018

Accepted: Jan 25, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/euco-2019-0008

Keywordsresidents’ perceptions, comparative analysis, tourism impacts, NP Đerdap, NP Tara, Serbia

© 2019 Jovana Brankov et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
residents’ perceptions, comparative analysis, tourism impacts, NP Đerdap, NP Tara, Serbia