Local population attitudes towards the impact of tourism on the economic development of rural areas in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

Local population represents one of the most important interest groups in tourism development. Attitudes, as well as the local population involvement in a certain area, largely predetermine the development of tourism. The aim of the paper is to perceive the attitudes of local population about the impact of tourism on the economic development of rural areas in the Republic of Serbia, because it has been proven in previous research that it can have a significant impact on the development of this strategically important activity. The paper also examines the influence of demographic characteristics on the attitudes of the local population about the impact of tourism on the economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Serbia. The research sample included 340 respondents, who live in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia. Descriptive statistical analysis, independent samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to process the collected data. The research results suggest that the impact of tourism on income, the creation of new business opportunities and the increase in demand for local products are rated as the most important by the rural population of the Republic of Serbia. It was also determined that of all other demographic characteristics, education partially affects the differences that exist in the attitudes of the local population regarding the impact of tourism on the economic development of rural areas of the Republic of Serbia. The differences shown are related to the tourism impact on increasing the number of jobs, incomes, demand for local products and on the rural economy diversification. The obtained results can contribute to the defining of the tourism development strategy for the rural areas of the Republic of Serbia with the aim of improving the quality of life of the local community and diversifying the rural economy with the development of this activity.