Sustainable Tourism Development in the Ždiar Highland Municipality in the Transition Zone of the Tatra Biosphere Reserve (Slovakia)

The Goral municipality of Ždiar (a Conservation Reserve of Folk Architecture since 1977) is one of the most attractive areas in Slovakia under the growing influence of the developing tourism. Since 1949 it has been part of the protection zone of the Tatra National Park and since 1993 it has been part of the transition zone of the Tatra Biosphere Reserve. In recent years, tourism has taken a major role in the transition zone of this biosphere reserve. In the presented contribution, we therefore evaluate the impact of developing tourism in the cadastral area of ​​the municipality of Ždiar between 1950 and 2022.. We rely primarily on available statistical data from various sources and on the analysis of the historical and contemporary landscape structure. During this period, almost 50% of the area has changed land cover. The activities that have significantly changed the landscape include afforestation, deforestation, agrointensification, deurbanisation (naturalisation), urbanisation (anthropisation): tourism development and construction of a water reservoir. Tourism has become the main driver of the economy here and opens up opportunities especially for local inhabitants. However, the lack of completed tourism infrastructure is a drawback. We recommend the establishment of the Coordinating Council of the Tatra Biosphere Reserve and permanent employees at the National Park Administration.