Page 208 - Koderman, Miha, and Vuk Tvrtko Opačić. Eds. 2020. Challenges of tourism development in protected areas of Croatia and Slovenia. Koper, Zagreb: University of Primorska Press, Croatian Geographical Society
P. 208
challenges of tourism development in protected areas of croatia and slovenia
number of tourists who could visit the cave is 1,800. For 1,800 visitors a day,
54 guides should be provided instead of the current 50 guides, considering
the ideal maximum of 20 visitors per guide.
With the existing schedule of visits to the cave at each hour and 240
visitors per hour at the peak of the summer season, the park significantly
exceeds its carrying capacity and the target set in the work report for 2018
(Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency, 2019) which is a maximum of 130
visitors every half hour. In the summer season of August 2019, the capacity
of the cave was exceed on 13 days (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 Number of visitors per day in Škocjan Caves in August 2019
Source: Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency, 2019
Conclusion
Within the spatial planning process, we must identify and seek to reduce
any conflicts that may arise between the different stakeholders in a given
protected area. With the introduction of the process of spatial planning in
protected areas in Slovenia, we found that tourism supports and does not
necessarily reduce the quality of life of local residents, when local commu-
nities are involved in the planning of tourism and recreation in the area.
An integrated planning and management approach can provide good long-
term communication between park management authorities, local resi-
dents, and visitors. We propose further application of internationally estab-
lished concepts and tools which are critical for successful spatial planning
206
number of tourists who could visit the cave is 1,800. For 1,800 visitors a day,
54 guides should be provided instead of the current 50 guides, considering
the ideal maximum of 20 visitors per guide.
With the existing schedule of visits to the cave at each hour and 240
visitors per hour at the peak of the summer season, the park significantly
exceeds its carrying capacity and the target set in the work report for 2018
(Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency, 2019) which is a maximum of 130
visitors every half hour. In the summer season of August 2019, the capacity
of the cave was exceed on 13 days (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 Number of visitors per day in Škocjan Caves in August 2019
Source: Škocjan Caves Public Service Agency, 2019
Conclusion
Within the spatial planning process, we must identify and seek to reduce
any conflicts that may arise between the different stakeholders in a given
protected area. With the introduction of the process of spatial planning in
protected areas in Slovenia, we found that tourism supports and does not
necessarily reduce the quality of life of local residents, when local commu-
nities are involved in the planning of tourism and recreation in the area.
An integrated planning and management approach can provide good long-
term communication between park management authorities, local resi-
dents, and visitors. We propose further application of internationally estab-
lished concepts and tools which are critical for successful spatial planning
206
