Green transformation of tourism industry – Case of Croatian urban tourist destinations
Authors:
Vedran Horvat (IPE)
Abstract:
This study explores the state of art and potential for green transformation in Croatian tourism industry focusing on five key urban tourist hubs. Research addressed gap between growth-oriented tourism industry generating nearly 20% of the national GDP and unsustainable extractive practices that irreversibly change urban landscapes with their high environmental footprint, pressure on poor public infrastructure and detrimental impact on spatial/urban planning and housing. Some of the key research questions were: what is the transformative potential for ecological transition of tourism industry in Croatia, with focus on main urban touristic destinations? What are the key adverse environmental and social impacts of touristic activity in selected cities? Where are the key systemic obstacles for ecological transition in tourism sector? What are the cities responses and municipal policies to prevent or address adverse environmental and social impacts of (over) tourism? Findings have demonstrated that green transformation in the tourism industry is still underdeveloped at national/local level and that relatively weak regulation at the EU level does not play a decisive role in the green transformation of the whole sector. Furthermore, it has revealed a number of gaps in coordination between key local and national stakeholders in the tourism industry, cities and ministries accountable for green transition.
