CONFLICTS IN SUSTAINABLE TOURISM – TYPES, SOURCES, SOLUTIONS

<ns3:p>Objective. The aim of this article is to review and attempt to systematise the different levels and types of conflict situations with an indication regarding the sources of their emergence, and to propose solutions for developing sustainable tourism through the use of conflict management concepts.Method. The study is a literature review comprising qualitative content analysis and synthesis.Results. Conflicts are divided into three levels along with the sources of conflict occurrence. The research also resulted in a proposal fpr conflict management techniques that may be useful in destinations pursuing sustainable tourism objectives. The techniques were related to the functions of conflict management: warning-informational, diagnostic, stimulating and integrating, and the entities at destinations for which these techniques can be most useful were identified.Research limitations and conclusions. The study is of theoretical and conceptual nature, while empirical research among different groups using tourist destination resources would be an important complementary element needed in order to gain certainty about the presented divisions. The different scope of activities among all stakeholders involved in shaping the integrated tourism product in different regions is also a limitation.Practical implications. An applied contribution is the proposal of management techniques for implementing sustainable tourism principles by conflict management function.Originality. The original contribution is separation of the levels, types and sources of conflicts occurring in tourist reception areas, together with the proposal for conflict management techniques in achieving sustainable tourism goals broken down by conflict management function and responsible stakeholders.Type of work. Review paper with elements of applied solutions.</ns3:p>