Cultural and religious tourism in Kosovo and Metohija

Abstract

The culture and cultural heritage are an expression of a nation's identity, history, tradition and civilization, an indicator of its life in time and space. This paper focuses on the analysis of cultural and religious tourism in Kosovo and Metohija area. The primary data was collected through a survey method, in August 2018, by a sample group of 38 respondents who participated in an organized two-day trip. The goal of this paper is to present the current state of cultural heritage and the significance which religious and cultural tourism have for the development of the local community on Kosovo and Metohija. Results of the research indicate that cultural and religious tourism contributes to regional development, cultural values, but also that a large number of monasteries and churches located in this area represent true sanctity for our people. The purpose of this paper is to point out the importance of cultural and religious tourism on the development of local communities in Kosovo and Metohija, but also to point out the fact that sacral buildings in this area have great, sacred value for our people.The research was conducted through a multidimensional questionnaire. The obtained data were processed manually by the authors of this paper, since the research sample is restrictively small. The scientific research methods used in the paper are the methods of analysis and synthesis, the method of induction and deduction, as well as the method of descriptive analysis. On that occasion, we found that cultural and religious tourism is very developed in this area, despite the unrest that has marked the last decade. Also, it was determined that these forms of tourism are of great importance for the community in Kosovo and Metohija. Tourists view the sacral buildings in this area as great shrines to which they show great respect. The practical implications of this paper are reflected in the fact that the obtained results can be used in further research.