Tourism Case study
 An area where tourism is important.
Area: Croatia
Croatia is a country located between Central and Southeast Europe. Its coast lies
entirely on the Adriatic Sea with an area of 60,000 square kilometres and a
population of four million people. This country is highly dependent on tourism
as is encompasses 20% of the country’s GDP with total of eleven million
tourists visiting in 2021.The impacts of such elevated levels of tourism on both
humans and the environment are:
Positive impacts on
humans
1) Economic Boost: In
2023, the country
welcomed over 20.6
million visitors and
recorded 108 million
overnight stays,
marking substantial
increases from
previous years. This
growth is greatest in coastal regions like Istria, Split-Dalmatia.
2) Job Creation: The tourism sector provides direct employment to thousands of
Croatians. In 2019, tourism provided 91,608 direct jobs, although this
number fluctuated during the pandemic.
3) Infrastructure Development:
The need to cater to many
tourists has led to improved
infrastructure, including
better roads, ports, and
public services, particularly
in popular destinations like
the islands of Krk and Hvar
with examples like the
Murum Heritage Hotel in Spilt.
Negative impacts on humans
1) Overcrowding: Popular tourist destinations like Dubrovnik experience severe
overcrowding, especially during peak seasons. This not only diminishes the
quality of life for residents but also detracts from the tourist experience with
a population density of 150 per square kilometre .​ .
2) Cultural Erosion: The influx of tourists can sometimes lead to the
commercialization of cultural sites and traditions, risking the loss of
authentic local culture in favour of catering to tourist demands​ .
3) Seasonal employment: Due to tourism peaking in the summer months,
especially in July and August with 60% of all tourism accommodation nights
recorded in those months in 2022 especially areas like Paklenica in south
Croatia. Companies such as Valmar only have nine hundred permanent
seasonal workers. This has led to fluctuations in the standard of living.
Impacts on the environment
1) Pollution and
Waste
Management:
Istria, in 2023
recorded over
thirty million
overnight stays,
struggles with
waste
management
issues. The
influx of
tourists overwhelms local waste collection and recycling services, leading to
pollution. Illegal construction of holiday resorts exacerbates these issues,
often resulting in vacant properties that contribute to urban sprawl and
waste​ .
2) Loss of
Biodiversity: Mljet
National Park, this
island park is home
to diverse flora and
fauna, some of
which are endemic.
The increasing
number of tourists
disrupts habitats and threatens species with extinction such as the Audouin's
gull and European honey buzzard.
3) Strain on Natural Resources: Kornati Islands National Park: The Kornati
archipelago, with its clear waters and marine biodiversity, is a popular
destination for nautical tourism. However, the anchoring of boats and yachts
damages seabed and coral reefs, disrupting marine life such as the Bottlenose
dolphins and Mediterranean monk seal.
How these impacts are being mitigated
1. Protected Natural
Areas: Croatia’s
national parks and
nature reserves, such
as Plitvice Lakes
and Paklenica, are
managed with strict
conservation
measures to
maintain their
ecological integrity.
For instance, Plitvice Lakes National Park uses electric boats and buses to
minimize carbon emissions and has implemented visitor caps to prevent
overcrowding thus reducing carbon emissions by 20,000 tonnes in
2022.​ ​ .
2. Green Sail Initiative: The Green Sail initiative works with nautical
tourism providers to promote sustainable practices along Croatia's coast.
This includes educational programs, coastal clean-ups, and partnerships
with marinas and charter companies to reduce the environmental impact
of boating activities​ ​ .
3. Eco-Tourism Destinations: Croatia has numerous destinations that
exemplify eco-tourism, such as Cres Island, known for its biodiversity
conservation efforts, and Mljet National Park, which focuses on
environmental education and preserving marine and forest ecosystems.
These destinations integrate sustainable practices into their tourism
offerings, promoting activities that have minimal environmental impact​
​ .