Perceptions of Environmental Impacts of Tourism: A Case Study of Vrnjačka Banja

Abstract

Tourism can contribute to destination development, but its impacts are not always positive. Primary attractions of tourism destinations, i.e. natural and cultural attractions can be directly threatened by the development of non-sustainable tourism. For achieving competitiveness of a tourism destination there is a need for managing the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism. This paper analyzes the local residents` and tourists` perceptions of the environmental impacts of tourism in Vrnjačka Banja. The survey method was applied to a sample of 120 respondents. Data were processed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results indicate that respondents' perceptions of the environmental impacts of tourism in Vrnjačka Banja is negative.