BALKANS – SAFE AND SECURE DESTINATION FOR TOURISM. ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION

Purpose – The conceptualization of the future is connected, as a rule, with a critical reflection on the present. Such consideration is particularly relevant to the Balkan region as a consequence of its inherent geographical realities and historical circumstances, which predetermined what was happening in this region of Europe. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the countries located on the peninsula underwent changes and joined different alliances and unions, under the complicated regional and international relations. Such peculiarities provoked this study with a focus on the manifestation of global problems and their regional dimensions in the Balkans, trough the security and safety issues explored in the context of tourism. Obviously, in the future, their importance will be even greater, having a significant socio-economic impact, including the tourism industry, where no tourist destination can be fully protected from various situations of threat (well seen during the Covid pandemic). Respecting the new realities, the study explores the preparedness of the tourism industry in the Balkans countries for events of natural and social nature. Design – The study of the Balkan countries as tourist destinations is analytical in nature and with a design that ensures that the studied data have the necessary reliability and allow a comprehensive coverage of the research problem. Methodology – Methodologically, the research is based on a literature review on the topic and on a survey of overview information from international databases. The performed situational and comparative analysis uses for source information from the INFORM Index from the Joint Research Center of the EU Commission in fact outlines the trends in the development of tourist destinations on country level on the Balkans, influenced by natural and social threats. Approach – The conceptual framework is still at an early stage of development and the current study could be useful for reevaluating the threats that are being observed and for supporting future research on the topic. The chosen approach to the study area - the Balkan Peninsula is consistent with its specifics and territorial features and reveals the picture of growing pressure under the stress of natural and social threats - war, disease, terrorism, natural phenomena, accompanied by f inancial and geopolitical tensions. high level of security. Findings – The obtained results have their significance for outlining the trends for the tourist destinations in the Balkans. Above all, its scientific usefulness is revealed in the analysis of the exposure of the Balkan countries as tourist destinations of natural and social threats, accompanied by trends for each of them, drawn as main conclusions. Originality of the research – The scientific and theoretical novelty of the research consists in the practical guidelines, which are outlined in order to improve the preparedness of the tourism industry in the Balkans countries for events of natural and social nature.