Environmental protection and sustainable tourism of cross-border national parks in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania: contingent valuation method

Abstract

The border triangle between Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania, comprising national parks in the Western Balkans, is experiencing a surge in mountain tourism, posing environmental conservation and sustainable tourism challenges. Concerns about preserving these parks have prompted an investigation into visitors' willingness to support sustainable practices financially. This study used willingness-to-pay (WTP) methods to examine visitor preferences based on demographic factors such as age, country of origin, and education. The Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) was employed to determine the monetary value visitors are willing to contribute to these parks. Results indicate that most (80%) visitors are willing to financially support improving services and sustainable tourism practices, with willingness to pay ranging from 1 to 4 EUR. However, willingness to pay tends to decrease with age, and visitors from Kosovo and Albania exhibit higher willingness levels than those from Montenegro. Interestingly, visitors with primary education show a negative inclination towards WTP. These findings offer valuable insights for stakeholders crafting sustainable tourism strategies in the Western Balkan countries.