quently analysed approaches and the motivational basis for visiting can show how much the protected nature and healthy environment matter to the tourists. Based on the internal motivators, we examined whether the tourism in Đerdap is controlled, on a smaller scale, and qualitatively focused. A total of 484 respondents participated in the survey research. The comparison of attitudes was performed in relation to the demographic attributes of the respondents (gender, age, education). Target groups of tourists who prefer sustainable tourism have been identified. Sustainable tourism is a significant determinant in the further development of tourism in the protected area National Park Đerdap. The results of the research, based on 12 statements, performed t-testing and one-factor variance analysis (ANOVA), show that the visitors' greatest interests are related to the environment (natural as well as cultural value of the area). The researched motivational factors (new experiences and events, relaxation and rest, acquiring new knowledge-cultural and educational motivation) are based on sustainability. The results of this research can be applied in practice by implementing them through various management and marketing plans in the National Park Đerdap.

Sustainable tourism implies preserved space, prevents ecological and socio-cultural devastation, but at the same time encourages tourism development. Their application and adequate implementation increases the chance of a tourist destination that will be able to develop sustainable tourism, so the aim of this paper is to separate characteristics and principles of sustainability on certain areas and to show their advantages and limitations. In this paper are introspected factors of tourism development, both in a positive and in a negative context. It was hypothesized that sustainable rural tourism in the Lower Danube region has a comparative advantage, but it is also a major challenge for the community. Methodological setting is qualitative, based on the contextual dimension of the data, empirical observations, exploratory research and observations. Obtained results show that the tourist offer of sustainable rural tourism in the Lower Danube region has its own unique values, which should continue to explore.

Biosphere reserves are protected areas vital for the preservation of living and inanimate nature, including the protection of anthropogenic values and cultural heritage. The basins of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers stretch through Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Hungary, and Serbia and form a unique spatial unity. The Biosphere Reserve concept defines about 300,000 hectares of core and buffer zones and around 700,000 hectares of transition zones. This large, primarily marshy area is rich in natural and cultural heritage. This area is called “the Amazon of Europe” and represents the world’s first Transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, “Mura-Drava-Danube,” among five countries. This biosphere reserve is important for the preservation of the natural and cultural values of the entire region. Especially rare plant and animal representatives live in this unique geographical unity. Some species inhabit only this area. A total of 900,000 people living around this reserve have a rich cultural tradition and heritage that needs to be protected. The objective of the research is to examine the function that the selected protected areas have in the sustainable development of tourism. Quantitative methodology was used in the research. An analysis of the conducted questionnaire was performed using the SPSS v.21 software, as well as a comparative analysis of the attitudes of 1295 residents from three countries. Residents’ attitudes refer to the level of ecological, economic, socio-cultural, and institutional sustainability of this biosphere reserve as a tourist destination. The research results indicate that the four dimensions of sustainability have significant values and that the selected areas have an important function in the sustainable development of tourism.

Sustainable development can be an element of tourism success if its principles are included in the process of strategic tourism development planning, and if such a concept is one of the strategic development goals. The paper analyzes the impact of the perception of the local population and visitors and their satisfaction with the development of tourism in the protected mountain area of Fruška Gora National Park, which has an abundance of natural, cultural, and social tourism resources that are directly included in the tourism offer. Maintaining natural and social values within this sensitive tourist destination, eliminating negative effects of tourism, strengthening the role of residents and visitors in tourism planning and development, and initiating special and other forms of tourism should be the basis of tourism development in this preserved area. The purpose of the research was to obtain important results on the residents’ attitudes and visitors’ satisfaction with the state of sustainable tourism within this national park, using quantitative methodology and an SPSS analysis of the conducted questionnaire. The respondents’ attitudes referred to environmental, economic, sociocultural, and institutional sustainability as being significant foundations of sustainable tourism development. The results revealed not only that tourism in Fruška Gora National Park was partially sustainable, but also that there was a need to improve all dimensions of sustainability. Such results could be used to transform tourism development strategies by emphasizing the growth of sustainable forms of tourism activities. The construction of tourist facilities and infrastructures must be based on environmental protection and residents must be directly involved in tourism development planning.

Sustainable tourism implies preserved space, prevents ecological and socio-cultural devastation, but at the same time encourages tourism development. Their application and adequate implementation increases the chance of a tourist destination that will be able to develop sustainable tourism, so the aim of this paper is to separate characteristics and principles of sustainability on certain areas and to show their advantages and limitations. In this paper are introspected factors of tourism development, both in a positive and in a negative context. It was hypothesized that sustainable rural tourism in the Lower Danube region has a comparative advantage, but it is also a major challenge for the community. Methodological setting is qualitative, based on the contextual dimension of the data, empirical observations, exploratory research and observations. Obtained results show that the tourist offer of sustainable rural tourism in the Lower Danube region has its own unique values, which should continue to explore.