Vulnerability and Sustainability of Tourism Development on Croatian Islands

This research examines residents’ attitudes toward tourism on Croatian islands as a lens for assessing the sustainability of tourism-led development. In regions where tourism represents a primary economic driver and a major source of local development funding, such reliance has increasingly been recognized as a source of vulnerability. By analyzing survey data collected across islands that differ in geographic size and local characteristics, the research offers an in-depth understanding of how local communities perceive the impacts and future of tourism. Data were analyzed using explanatory factor analysis and cluster analysis. The findings reveal three distinct groups of residents, based on their perceptions of tourism development and shaped by three underlying attitudinal dimensions. The first group strongly supports tourism development. While moderately supportive of tourism as a development strategy, the second group raises concerns about its excessive pressure on local communities and advocates for more stringent regulation. The third group emphasizes the risks associated with tourism-driven growth. These findings underscore the heterogeneity of local perspectives, reflecting varying levels of perceived resilience and vulnerability. The results suggest that areas where residents express greater confidence in tourism and its benefits may exhibit stronger resilience to external shocks and be better suited for tourism-focused development. Conversely, areas where skepticism or concern about tourism prevail may be more susceptible to disruptions and would benefit from more diversified development strategies to build long-term resilience.