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

Tamara Gajić (), Dragan Vukolić (), Ana Spasojević, Ivana Blešić, Marko D. Petrović, Jovan Bugarčić, Marina Bugarčić, Bojana D. Drašković and Milovan Milivojević
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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
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

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-24

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.

Keywords: ecotourism; sustainable development; nature conservation; economic benefits; community engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:2:p:395-:d:1590598

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