Page 252 - 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. 252
challenges of tourism development in protected areas of croatia and slovenia
Special care should be given to proper distribution of tourism visits, in
both spatial and temporal terms. The aforementioned spatial aspect is un-
derstood to mean balanced spatial distribution of visitors within a given
protected area, in order to reduce pressure on the most attractive locations.
The temporal aspect relates to more balanced tourism over longer periods
(weeks, months, years), in order to reduce negative seasonal effects arising
from higher visitation on weekends and overall during the warmer half of
the year—especially during the high season (summer) of tourism. It is of
inestimable value to continually and consistently work on improving edu-
cation and ecological awareness efforts for both visitors and the local com-
munity, in order to preserve the most-visited national and nature parks for
future generations, and simultaneously contribute to local economies and
communities.
Protected areas of lower attractiveness to tourists in both states should
be promoted more strongly to the public, not only for the purposes of tour-
ism marketing, but for their value to society (natural and cultural heritage)
as well as for the services that they provide to the ecosystem. In the context
of tourism development, such areas can play a significant role as relief areas
for the most-visited tourism destinations. Less-developed areas can diver-
sify their economic structure and raise the quality of life for their residents
by developing a higher-quality rural, eco, and nature-based tourism supply,
as well as recreational activities.
Tourism valorisation of protected areas in Croatia and Slovenia has the
power to create additional economic, ecological, social, and political value.
Namely, a large share of the border area between Croatia and Slovenia is ripe
ground for opportunities of cross-border cooperation for nature protection
due to homogeneity and similar natural characteristics. The realisation of
closer cross-border cooperation could be easily achieved with Croatia’s ac-
cession to the Schengen Area, which would render tourism-recreation-
al mobility between the two countries much easier. Additionally, strong-
er links between existing protected areas on both sides of the border, as the
basis for a cross-border protected area (e.g. Risnjak in Croatia–Snežnik in
Slovenia, Žumberak-Samoborsko Gorje in Croatia–Gorjanci in Slovenia,
the north-western part of Hrvatsko Zagorje–Kozjansko in Slovenia), repre-
sent suitable opportunities for cooperation for mutual benefit.
250
Special care should be given to proper distribution of tourism visits, in
both spatial and temporal terms. The aforementioned spatial aspect is un-
derstood to mean balanced spatial distribution of visitors within a given
protected area, in order to reduce pressure on the most attractive locations.
The temporal aspect relates to more balanced tourism over longer periods
(weeks, months, years), in order to reduce negative seasonal effects arising
from higher visitation on weekends and overall during the warmer half of
the year—especially during the high season (summer) of tourism. It is of
inestimable value to continually and consistently work on improving edu-
cation and ecological awareness efforts for both visitors and the local com-
munity, in order to preserve the most-visited national and nature parks for
future generations, and simultaneously contribute to local economies and
communities.
Protected areas of lower attractiveness to tourists in both states should
be promoted more strongly to the public, not only for the purposes of tour-
ism marketing, but for their value to society (natural and cultural heritage)
as well as for the services that they provide to the ecosystem. In the context
of tourism development, such areas can play a significant role as relief areas
for the most-visited tourism destinations. Less-developed areas can diver-
sify their economic structure and raise the quality of life for their residents
by developing a higher-quality rural, eco, and nature-based tourism supply,
as well as recreational activities.
Tourism valorisation of protected areas in Croatia and Slovenia has the
power to create additional economic, ecological, social, and political value.
Namely, a large share of the border area between Croatia and Slovenia is ripe
ground for opportunities of cross-border cooperation for nature protection
due to homogeneity and similar natural characteristics. The realisation of
closer cross-border cooperation could be easily achieved with Croatia’s ac-
cession to the Schengen Area, which would render tourism-recreation-
al mobility between the two countries much easier. Additionally, strong-
er links between existing protected areas on both sides of the border, as the
basis for a cross-border protected area (e.g. Risnjak in Croatia–Snežnik in
Slovenia, Žumberak-Samoborsko Gorje in Croatia–Gorjanci in Slovenia,
the north-western part of Hrvatsko Zagorje–Kozjansko in Slovenia), repre-
sent suitable opportunities for cooperation for mutual benefit.
250
