Ski Resort vs. Altitude and Latitude: Competitiveness from the Perspective of the Consumers

Marijana Pantić, Tamara Maričić () and Milena Toković
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Marijana Pantić: Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tamara Maričić: Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Milena Toković: Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-33

Abstract: Serbian ski resorts’ altitude and latitude are lower than in most European ski resorts. In the context of climate change and the Serbian Government’s plans to keep opening new ski resorts, this study examines the competitiveness of Serbian ski resorts in the eyes of domestic tourists, hence the justification of new developments. This research was carried out in three steps: a statistical analysis of a survey conducted among domestic tourists, an interpretation of the context based on responses to open-ended questions, and a comparison of Serbia’s most popular ski resorts with leading ski resorts in Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Italy, and France. The results showed that Serbian tourists focus on value for money, skiing, and ski infrastructure quality rather than additional activities such as cultural tours, entertainment, or wellness. In the context of international discussions on climate change impacts, environmental consequences of ski resorts, and survey results, we recommend that future strategies of ski resort operators in Serbia focus on developing and promoting complementary activities to winter sports and prioritizing the redevelopment of existing ski resorts rather than constructing new ones.

Keywords: ski resorts; competitiveness; tourism; survey; sustainability; climate change; Serbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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