International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management United Kingdom Vol. II, Issue 11, Nov 2014 http://ijecm.co.uk/ ISSN 2348 0386 PERCEPTIONS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM BY TOURISTS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT CASE STUDY OF RUGOVA REGION, KOSOVO Dauti, Merita Begolli University “HAXHI ZEKA”, Pejë, Kosovo
[email protected] Abstract Tourism development in Rugova region is possible because it owns a big number of touristic sources. This project is based on questionnaires in which tourists who have visited this region were surveyed. The aim of this paper if to provide empiric proves about how many is the number of tourists that visit Rugova region and how their attitudes and perceptions are regarding sustainability of natural beauties, hospitality and many other characteristics which influence in environment protection. Data was collected from tourists, non-residents using questionnaires with closed questions and with likert scale. Analyses show that perception and concept of sustainable tourism considerably is known by tourists’ nonresidents while a small number did not have knowledge about this concept. So from this project we can see that the aim of sustainable development is fulfilling the needs of actual tourist in Rugova region while on the other hand they are aware that culture identity, essential ecologic processes, and ecologic diversity should be protected by host places. Key words: Tourism, economy, tourist, sustainability, Kosovo INTRODUCTION Concept of stabile development even that was not targeting in specific manner development of tourism, with no doubt had a reasonable influence in tourism sector. The stabile development has for intention to secure and offer a stable and secure life, which minimizes the use and depletion of natural sources, degradation of the environment, cultural divisions and social instability (Hall, 1998).