The role of ecotourism in community development: The case of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve, Serbia

Authors

  • Vladimir Stojanović University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6792-2841
  • Dubravka Milić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Novi Sad, Serbia Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8828-1489
  • Sanja Obradović University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9339-1570
  • Jovana Vanovac University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Novi Sad, Serbia Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Dimitrije Radišić University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Novi Sad, Serbia; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology, Novi Sad, Serbia Novi Sad, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2716-9829

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.9411

Keywords:

ecotourism, sustainable development, local community, local residents, attitude, protected areas, Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale

Abstract

This study explores local community attitudes toward ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia using the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). Residents of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve acknowledge the sociocultural and economic benefits of ecotourism development while recognizing the negative impacts of development on the natural environment. Low awareness of non-charismatic species among residents contrasts with strong awareness of them among large communities of scientists and naturalists in Serbia. This study shows the importance of local community support for ecotourism and conservation development. Moreover, the study revealed that the SUS-TAS scale can be successfully applied in ecotourism research.

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Published

01-12-2021

How to Cite

Stojanović, V., Milić, D., Obradović, S., Vanovac, J., & Radišić, D. (2021). The role of ecotourism in community development: The case of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve, Serbia. Acta Geographica Slovenica, 61(2), 171–186. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS.9411

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