Tourism
The Western Balkans has vast potential for sustainable tourism due to its rich cultural heritage and diversity, attractive coastlines and historic cities, and some of Europe’s largest and wildest landscapes. Tourism is one of the largest and also fastest-growing economic sectors in the region, and for most countries is expected to grow significantly both in terms of contribution to GDP and creation of jobs. Croatia, Montenegro and Albania have the potential for further development of tourism in coastal areas, while FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and BiH have potential for winter tourism, and all have interesting historical sites and cultural and religious sites to visit. While tourism is mostly concentrated in coastal areas and historic cities, mountain tourism is also present and includes both winter and summer activities. All the countries have at least one ski resort and offer other winter activities as well. In warmer weather, tourism within mountains focuses on natural heritage, national parks, and local culture (UNEP/ ENVSEC, 2012). Although mountain tourism has received increasing attention over the past few years, its contribution to overall tourism remains low (e.g. Callaway et al., 2010).
Year: 2015
From collection: Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Western Balkan Mountains
Cartographer: Cartografare il Presente/Nieves Izquierdo