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Profile characteristics and satisfaction of Kornati National Park visitors

Tourism was gradually introduced in the Kornati Archipelago in the 1970s. The predominant form of tourism is boating and sightseeing with short or long stays, adhering, however, to the rules of the protection and conservation of the natural and cultural values. Other forms of tourism pertain to diving visits, hospitality and catering (restaurants and taverns) and accommodation in small houses.In 2015, after process of Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy for the Broader Kornati National Park Area and Action Plan development made in close cooperation with 40 local, regional nad national stakeholders, Kornati NP was awarded with European Charter for Sustainable Tourism for a 5-years period. Lack of knowledge about Kornati NP visitor’s structure and their satisfaction with quality of services provided by Public Institution “Kornati National park” and other stakeholders was identified by using SWOT analysis during Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan development process.Research was conducted by Polytechnic in Šibenikfrom June until September 2015.by using a structured questionnaire prepared in five languages. Visitors’ satisfaction was analyzed for 13 different categories:park information availability, usefulness of guides and maps for visitors available in the park, usefulness of information on biodiversity, staff professionalism and kindness, quality and maintenance of pathway and tracks, possibility to enjoy in nature, availability of local products, range of available activities, number of other visitors in the park, value for money, availability of contents to persons with special needs and older generations, satisfaction with means of transport to the park and overall satisfaction with the park. Furthermore, recommendations for the improvement were also included in the questionnaire.The sampling was conducted by using a stratified random sampling.Analysis of 349 filled questionnaires showed that the overall structure of the visitors is dominated by highly educated visitors of middle age, with a monthly income of up to 2, 000 €. The largest number of visitors were Germans (19.1%) followed by domestic visitors (17.6%). The primary motivationfor visitors’ arrival is resting and relaxation (62.9%) and enjoying the nature (60.6%). Visitors are mostly in their first visit to the Park (the share of group visitors that were in their first visit to the park is significantly higher (81%) compared to visitors in individual arrivals (44%)). More than half of the respondents have intention of revisiting (61% of individual visitors largely express intention of revisiting the Parkcompared to 43% of group visitors). The main source of information about the park is the word-of-mouth marketing (for visitors on excursion boats 34.8% and for visitors in individual arrivals 41.4%), followed by the internet/web pages and travel magazines.This research has provided valuable information needed for improvement of Kornati National parkvisitor management systemas well asmanagement in general.We believe that method used to assess structure and satisfaction of visitors will be recognized as efficient tool for other protected areas on their way toward creating sustainable tourism development.

Kornati National Park, visitors, profile characteristics, satisfaction

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