Protected natural areas at the intersection of tourism growth and threats: Resilience challenges in Croatia

As a key element in the global development of sustainable tourism, protected natural areas play a particularly important role in local and regional development and are important for strengthening resilience to crises. In Croatia, where sustainable tourism is a one of the development goals, there is a significant risk that growing tourism activities in protected areas may result in the degradation and destruction of these sites. This paper presents the results of the first survey conducted in Croatia examining the correlation between visitor numbers in national parks and nature parks and the identified threats between 2018 and 2023. The findings highlight the relationship between the level of protection, the geographic location of the parks (coastal vs. inland), and three distinct periods: before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis (from 2018 to 2023). The findings of the research were also placed in the context of sustainable local and regional development for future planning of resilience to the well-being of the local population. The results indicate interesting changes in park visitation over the observed periods, as well as shifts in pressures on the core phenomenon. The recommendations highlight the necessity of monitoring and managing risks through a model of strengthening the resilience of protected areas. They can also support policymakers, park managers, local communities, and the tourism sector in ensuring the long-term sustainability of both Croatia?s protected areas and its tourism.