DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DRIVEN BY POLICIES, CONSUMER TRENDS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN POLAND AND SERBIA
DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DRIVEN BY POLICIES, CONSUMER TRENDS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN POLAND AND SERBIA

Summary/Abstract: Aim: The article aims to compare the approaches to sustainable tourism in Poland and Serbia. It ana-lyzes current consumer trends in the European Union, Poland (as an EU member), and Serbia (as an EUcandidate country). The article presents the objectives of both countries’ latest available tourism devel-opment strategies. An attempt is made to indicate the desired directions of action in the near future fromthe perspective of changing expectations of tourists, environmental challenges, and the assumptionsof the sustainable development concept. Methods: The methods included desk research (analysisof documents and public policies), content analysis (analysis of the websites of national tourism develop-ment agencies), and case studies (indicating specific actions). Results: The analysis of sustainable tourismdevelopment in Poland and Serbia indicates significant similarities, but also differences resulting fromthe political and institutional context. As an EU member, Poland systematically implements the recom-mendations resulting from a set of political initiatives under the common name of the European GreenDeal and the industrial strategy published as the Transformation Path for Tourism, emphasizing the devel-opment of low-emission, digital tourism and supporting local communities. In the process of integrationwith the EU, Serbia is taking actions similar to EU standards, developing tourism based on natural valuesand cultural heritage. Conclusions: Both in Poland and Serbia, there is a growing interest in sustainabletourism among consumers and changing trends in the expectations of tourists. Environmental challenges,such as excessive pressure from mass tourism, loss of biodiversity, waste generation, and the effectsof climate change, require an integrated approach and intersectoral cooperation; in this context,the assumptions of the circular economy are also relevant. This is necessary to balance economic develop-ment and the protection of natural resources. Poland and Serbia have significant potential for developingsustainable tourism but face different challenges. Poland should focus on reducing overtourism and bettermanaging tourist traffic, while Serbia should invest in tourist infrastructure and environmental protection.Supporting innovation and ecological education for tourists and local communities is crucial.

• Details
• Contents