Hotels vs private accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia?

Abstract

Available statistical data at the global and national levels show how much tour-ism and hospitality suffered from the period of declaration of the worldwide pandemic of the Covid-19 virus (March 2020) until its "de facto" abolition (March/April 2022). However, the fact that tourism and travel became almost the primary need of people in periods of relaxation of measures is also evidenced by the available statistical data. Examples of countries in the world and in the region indicate that in that period there was a change in tourist movements, initiated by the changed needs and demands of tourists. For the purposes of this research, a survey questionnaire was formulated and distributed electronically to the e-mail addresses of numerous users in Serbia. The main goal of the paper is to indicate the utilization of hotel accommodation capacities in relation to private accommodation during the pandemic in Serbia. Investigate whether the role of hotels, which before the pandemic period were the most used form of accommodation, has declined (especially when it comes to leading tourist destinations in Serbia - city, mountain and spa centres), or whether the trend of choosing a "safer place to stay" has experienced an expansion in natural, non-urbanized environment. The obtained data can be useful, first of all, to managers of the tourism and hospitality industry, so that according to the summarized results of the research and the recommendations given in the work, they can adequately and timely correct and innovate their tourist offer.