Tourism and Circular Economy in Europe: Assessing Resource Efficiency and Environmental Impact Across Select EU and Balkan Countries
Tourism and Circular Economy in Europe: Assessing Resource Efficiency and Environmental Impact Across Select EU and Balkan Countries

Author(s): Andrija Popović, Andreja Todorović, Žarko Rađenović
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Circular economy; Tourism sustainability; Environmental impact
Summary/Abstract: This research examines the relationship between tourism, circular economy (CE) practices, and environmental sustainability across selected EU and Balkan countries from 2012 to 2021. Analyzing resource efficiency, energy consumption, waste generation, and recycling, the findings highlight how tourism-driven economic growth intensifies environmental impacts, while strong CE policies mitigate these effects by fostering recycling and resource optimization. EU nations, such as Austria, France, and Luxembourg, demonstrate advanced CE integration, whereas Balkan countries face challenges due to limited infrastructure and regulatory gaps. The panel comprises 9 EU countries selected by complete data availability, and Balkan coverage in the sample is confined to Romania and Slovenia. Cluster analysis identifies distinct cluster-level patterns, emphasizing tailored policy approaches and technological innovation to bridge disparities. Interpretations are limited to the countries analyzed and cluster-level contrasts. This research underscores the critical role of integrating CE principles into tourism strategies for achieving sustainable economic growth.

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