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Exploring Attitudes on the Sustainable Balance Between Nature Conservation and Economic Development Through Ecotourism—Lessons from EU and Non-EU Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Tamara Gajić

    (Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Dragan Vukolić

    (Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Business Studies, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina)

  • Ana Spasojević

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia)

  • Ivana Blešić

    (Faculty of Sciences, Department for Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Marko D. Petrović

    (Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
    Department of Regional Economics and Geography, Faculty of Economics, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Jovan Bugarčić

    (Faculty of Hotel and Tourism, University of Kragujevac, 36210 Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia)

  • Marina Bugarčić

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Union—Nikola Tesla, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Bojana D. Drašković

    (Faculty of Civil Engineering, University Union—Nikola Tesla, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milovan Milivojević

    (Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

This study examines attitudes toward achieving a sustainable balance in ecotourism using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model, focusing on economic and environmental factors shaping sustainable practices. Data were collected from tourists, local residents, and managers in Serbia and Croatia, encompassing diverse perspectives on natural resource conservation, economic benefits, and community engagement. The results indicate that natural resource conservation significantly contributes to local participation, tourist awareness, and community engagement, with notable differences observed among respondent groups. Economic benefits also positively influence these mediating factors, emphasizing their role in achieving sustainability goals. The MGA revealed significant differences between respondent groups, highlighting that managers and local communities in Croatia demonstrated higher levels of awareness and participation compared to Serbia, while differences among tourists were less pronounced. This research contributes to the sustainable tourism literature by integrating perspectives from various stakeholder groups and emphasizing the importance of community involvement and environmental preservation. Practical implications include recommendations for policymakers and managers to develop strategies that encourage stakeholder participation and promote sustainable tourism development.

Suggested Citation

  • Tamara Gajić & Dragan Vukolić & Ana Spasojević & Ivana Blešić & Marko D. Petrović & Jovan Bugarčić & Marina Bugarčić & Bojana D. Drašković & Milovan Milivojević, 2025. "Exploring Attitudes on the Sustainable Balance Between Nature Conservation and Economic Development Through Ecotourism—Lessons from EU and Non-EU Countries," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:395-:d:1590598
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer Kim Lian Chan & Kamarul Mizal Marzuki & Tini Maizura Mohtar, 2021. "Local Community Participation and Responsible Tourism Practices in Ecotourism Destination: A Case of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Guanmei Huang & Zhen Wang & Naeem Jan, 2022. "The Application of Virtual Reality Technology in the Coordination and Interaction of Regional Economy and Culture in the Sustainable Development of Ecotourism," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2022, pages 1-13, April.
    3. Dan-Cristian Dabija & Luiela Magdalena Csorba & Florin-Lucian Isac & Sergiu Rusu, 2023. "Managing Sustainable Sharing Economy Platforms: A Stimulus–Organism–Response Based Structural Equation Modelling on an Emerging Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
    4. Erik G. Hansen & Stefan Schaltegger, 2016. "The Sustainability Balanced Scorecard: A Systematic Review of Architectures," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 133(2), pages 193-221, January.
    5. Tamara Gajić & Ivana Blešić & Marko D. Petrović & Milan M. Radovanović & Filip Đoković & Dunja Demirović Bajrami & Sanja Kovačić & Ivana Jošanov Vrgović & Tatyana N. Tretyakova & Julia A. Syromiatniko, 2023. "Stereotypes and Prejudices as (Non) Attractors for Willingness to Revisit Tourist-Spatial Hotspots in Serbia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-22, March.
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