Visitors' perspectives on sustainable tourism: a comparative study of national parks in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania

Abstract

This study investigated tourists' opinions on destination experiences within National Parks (NPs) in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania, focusing on visitor satisfaction with the destination. Data was collected in the field through 366 surveys to assess visitor perspectives. The statistical analysis included descriptive, qualitative, and quantitative methods. The results highlight variations in visitor ratings across destinations, with Montenegro generally receiving higher (positive) ratings than Kosovo and Albania. The most valued issues by visitors are the diversity and wildness of the landscapes, food and hospitality. At the same time, the least valued (negative) are road infrastructure, orientation signs and waste management in the park. The study highlights the importance of visitor feedback in formulating sustainable tourism strategies, emphasising the need for balanced growth and environmental conservation in destination management.