engleski

The importance of sustainable tourism in the context of regional development (case of West Balkan region)

In the context of sustainable growth, sustainable tourism (ST) is represented as a set of policies which ensure minimizing negative impacts on the environment, cultural and natural attractions. Resources are used so that will remain available on a long-term. Formulation of economic strategies that include the development of ST provide a substantive basis for the development of programs with which it is possible to obtain foreign investors and candidates on international development projects. The positive effects of ST in the region will affect on the development of rural areas, employment in the local environment, the performance of tourism enterprises and tourist satisfaction. According to the trend of low growth of the economic and social factors, it should be noted that ST is not only intended to make a profit and protecting the environment, but care must be given to the development of local communities (non profit activities). This can be achieved with the participation of local stakeholders in the processes of implementing ST. The policy of ST includes the protection of the environment. An example of good practice presents the ecotourism as a form of ST. The goal of this conceptually constructed paper is to achieve the understanding of how to integrate cultural and natural heritage of the Western Balkans in the framework of the development potentials that provide ST. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, it was developed the holistic ST model of integration of ST development scheme in the rural areas for rural areas. In the model are pointed out factors that significantly affect the development of ST and within this on rural ares development.

sustainable tourism ; sustainable development ; regional development ; Western Balkans ; European funds

ISSN 2303-4564