The object of this paper is to give the reader a general understanding of tourism on a global scale, continued by a broader overview on the history and development of Croatian tourism from its ancient times over the early 19th century to the perspectives and challenges the country is facing today. Complemented by current statistical data, a comparative report with other travel destinations is further provided.
In the main focus of this paper these tendencies are being followed by a broader theoretical framework of the general impacts of tourism on a travel destination with the focus on economic developments. Consequently, the findings will be then put in disposition, what implications the tourism industry has to Croatia and what measures could help the country for staying competitive in the coming years.
The combined topics of this paper lead us to the following research question: "What effects and challenges has the tourism industry in the case of Croatia and what steps could be implemented in the country in order to maintain a long-lasting positive development for the next decades?"
Moreover, as an outlook for upcoming discussions, various factors will be briefly taken into consideration, in particular, whether the official Tourism Development Strategy until 2020 has born fruits in the last years and if the large financial contribution of tourism to the country's economy can be seen on a long term as a blessing or a curse for this young EU member.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Global Tourism
2.1 Brief historic overview
2.2 Theory: General factors and effects of Tourism
2.2.1 Most popular International / European travel destinations
2.2.2 Total contribution of tourism to International / European economies – GDP’s share
2.3 General impacts of tourism on a travel destination
3. The tourism industry in Croatia
3.1 History and Development of Croatian Tourism
3.2 Tourist regions in Croatia
3.3 Concentration of tourism, types of accommodation and countries of origin
4. Analysis: A Critical View on Tourism in Croatia
4.1 Factors and effects of tourism in Croatia – Tourism numbers
4.2 Impacts of tourism on Croatia
5. Tourism Development Strategy until 2020
Research Objectives and Core Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the impact of the tourism industry on the Croatian economy, analyzing both positive and negative consequences while investigating strategies to ensure sustainable long-term development. The research addresses the following key question: What are the effects and challenges of the tourism industry in Croatia, and what steps can be implemented to maintain a long-lasting positive development over the coming decades?
- Theoretical framework of the economic impacts of global tourism.
- Historical evolution and current regional concentration of Croatian tourism.
- Quantitative analysis of tourism's contribution to Croatia's GDP and employment.
- Evaluation of challenges such as inflation, seasonality, and over-dependence.
- Strategic policy recommendations for sustainable tourism growth until 2020 and beyond.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 History and Development of Croatian Tourism
Croatia can look back on a tradition of organized tourism for about 150 years, although certain tourism-like forms of travel existed before then (at the beginning of the 19th century), such as pilgrimages, excursions and thermal spas, to mention Daruvarske toplice, Stubičke toplice and Varaždinske toplice.
The period from the second half of the 19th century to the First World War was characterized by the development of roads and railway lines as well as the introduction of steamship lines on the Adriatic, as important prerequisites for a serious occupation with tourism. At that time the first hotels were opened, primarily in Opatija (Villa Angiolina 1844 and Kvarner 1884), then in Zagreb, Samobor, Zadar, Crikvenica, Dubrovnik and other cities. The first mentioned city – Opatija - is mildly called by the locals as „kolijevka turizma“, the cradle of tourism. The first guidebooks were written (as early as 1845 in Poreč and in Pula) and in 1892 organized research trips from Zagreb to the Velebit mountains and to the Adriatic coast began. The seaside resorts, especially those in the Kvarner Bay, became centers of healing tourism, where the first tourist boards were established (1866 in the town of Krk and 1868 on the island of Hvar).
In the inter-war periods of the late 19th and early 20th century, tourism enjoyed a tremendous upswing with an average of one million tourist arrivals per year (around 1930). Compulsory residence fees have been introduced and exchange offices opened. The magazines dedicated to tourism have been published and the first domestic and international airlines have been established.
Nevertheless, Croatia’s history of tourism as a mass phenomenon only bears fruits for about sixty years.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the rise of Croatian tourism, establishes the research scope on economic impacts, and defines the central research question regarding sustainability and future development.
2. Global Tourism: Provides a historical overview of world travel and establishes a theoretical framework for understanding the economic impacts and metrics of the tourism industry.
3. The tourism industry in Croatia: Details the historical roots, regional distribution, and the structure of accommodation and traveler origins within the Croatian tourism sector.
4. Analysis: A Critical View on Tourism in Croatia: Examines specific statistical data regarding the impacts of tourism on Croatia's GDP and employment, while discussing policy recommendations for the future.
5. Tourism Development Strategy until 2020: Reviews the official governmental strategy document and evaluates its alignment with the research findings and future necessities of the country.
Keywords
Croatia, Tourism Industry, Economic Impact, GDP, Employment, Seasonality, Regional Development, Sustainable Tourism, Infrastructure, Foreign Exchange Earnings, Inflation, Tourism Strategy, Mediterranean, Market Analysis, Macro-perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This paper focuses on the economic impacts of the tourism industry on Croatia, analyzing its growth, contribution to the national economy, and the associated challenges that need to be addressed for long-term stability.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study covers global tourism theory, the historical development of Croatian tourism, current regional concentration, economic indicators like GDP and employment, and potential future policy strategies.
What is the central research question?
The research asks what specific effects and challenges the tourism industry presents for Croatia and which steps should be implemented to ensure a positive, long-lasting development for the next several decades.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs a case study approach, utilizing historical analysis and statistical evaluation of tourism data from organizations like the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the World Bank, and national statistics offices.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines the evolution of Croatian tourism, the current economic contribution of the sector, the positive and negative consequences (e.g., foreign exchange vs. inflation/seasonality), and specific policy recommendations.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Croatia, Tourism Industry, Economic Impact, GDP, Employment, Seasonality, Regional Development, and Sustainable Tourism.
How significant is tourism to the Croatian GDP?
Tourism plays a major role in the Croatian economy, accounting for approximately 25% of the GDP in recent years, with forecasts suggesting a potential increase in the share of total economic contribution by 2028.
What role does seasonality play in Croatia?
Seasonality is a significant challenge, as the vast majority of tourist arrivals occur during the summer months, leading to "overutilization" of facilities in the peak season and "underutilization" during the rest of the year.
What are the main policy recommendations?
Recommendations include promoting multi-faceted tourism beyond "sun and sea," developing local infrastructure, investing in professional tourism education, and diversifying tourism across the entire country rather than just the coast.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Alexander Schneider (Autor:in), 2019, Croatia's Foreign Policy After Independence. The Various Impacts of Tourism on the Country, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/489699
