Trying to underline geotourist profile of National park visitors: Case study of NP Fruška Gora, Serbia (Typology of potential geotourists at NP Fruška Gora)

Abstract

Abstract Geotourists, as visitors with a specific preference for geoheritage and attractive geodiversity, have been identified and typified by many authors worldwide. Considering that Serbia is recognized as an area of geotourism in its initiation phase, this type of research has not been conducted thus far. In spite of global trends, geotourism as a special interest form of travel does not exist in this region, and is principally related to speleotourism and pure admiration of aesthetic values of geodiversity. As one of the first studies of geotourism of such character in Serbia, the research presented within was conducted to reveal whether there is a certain level of interest for geoheritage amongst the general public. The questionnaire was conducted in 2015 on the territory of Vojvodina Province (North Serbia), counting a total of 198 respondents. Bearing in mind the lack of geotourism terminology within the study area, the general public is not familiar with the existence, attractiveness and even degradation of geodiversity. Hence, questions aimed to discover respondents’ habits and tendencies during travel, their attitude in everyday life, particularly towards nature (including the abiotic component). Last of all, the goal of the presented study is also to reveal whether there are certain types of potential geoheritage lovers - geotourists depending on their social-demographic characteristics. With specific profiles identified, results could be later used for geotourism planning, education, promotion and management in the Vojvodina region and wider.