Management Perception Of Wildlife Tourism: The Case Of Croatia

As the understanding of the importance of monitoring environmental and economic wildlife tourism aspects grows, management stakeholders face the challenge of greater responsibility in strategic decision making, as well as in achieving sustainability of this type of tourism. The purpose of this study is to determine the attitudes of the local tourist organizations’ managers in Croatia towards the importance of monitoring of the economic and environmental impact of wildlife tourism. For the needs of the research, the data were gathered from the managers of 35 tourist organizations, using a mail-back questionnaire. The results of a hierarchical cluster analysis show that management stakeholders can be divided into four clusters, “Enthusiasts”, “Rationalists”, “Unconvinced” and “Sceptics”. The profiles of four clusters show differences in attitudes, the biggest difference being in the belief that wildlife tourism could be the primary motive for the arrival of tourists. Similarities of opinions can be found in the view that the development of wildlife tourism represents an indirect incentive for generating additional income, which is an economic benefit. The results of analysis also indicate that the local tourist organizations’ managers recognise the potential and are willing to actively participate in the development projects of wildlife tourism.