Local Perspectives on Tourism Development in Western Serbia: Exploring the Potential for Community-Based Tourism

Tamara Surla, Tatjana Pivac () and Marko D. Petrović
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Tamara Surla: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Tatjana Pivac: Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Marko D. Petrović: Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić”, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SASA), 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Tourism and Hospitality, 2025, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: This study investigates the attitudes of local communities in Western Serbia toward tourism development, with a focus on the potential for implementing community-based tourism (CBT) as a sustainable model. CBT emphasizes local community involvement in tourism planning and benefits, fostering inclusivity and enhancing socio-economic well-being. By surveying 845 residents in Western Serbia, this research examines their perceptions of tourism’s social, environmental, and economic impacts, as well as their level of support for tourism growth and their sense of attachment to the community. Using statistical methods such as correlation, regression, and descriptive analysis with SPSS 23, this study identifies positive correlations between residents’ attitudes, support for tourism, and attachment to their communities. The findings reveal that local residents generally view tourism growth favorably, with a strong preference for economic benefits over social and environmental ones. Furthermore, community attachment plays a significant role in motivating residents to support future tourism initiatives. These insights suggest that aligning tourism development strategies with the residents’ priorities, particularly economic benefits and community attachment, is essential for promoting sustainable and harmonious tourism growth in Western Serbia. The research highlights the potential of CBT in fostering long-term socio-economic benefits for local communities while minimizing adverse impacts.

Keywords: community-based tourism; attitudes of the residents; perception of benefits from tourism; support for tourism development; community attachment; Western Serbia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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