(JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International Vol. 1, No.3, 2013. INSUFFICIENTLY UTILIZED NATURAL TOURIST RESOUCES OF SOUTHERN SERBIA PhD Svetlana Trajković, Collage of applied professional studies, Vranje, Serbia PhD Predrag Trajković, Mapro, Vranje, Serbia MSc Milan Ivanković, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Department for rural development, Belgrade, Serbia Abstract. South Serbia is highly purpose of shopping and business activities, attractive for tourists due to its homogenous could be perceived as tourism. relief structures, rich historical heritage and pleasant natural wealth of flora and fauna, Tourism can be differentiated into: natural mineral and thermal springs and rivers, • rural tourism, and bodies of water. It has a unique and outstanding historical and cultural heritage, • residential tourism, monuments, monasteries, authentic folklore, music and traditions, and traditionaly hospitable • heritage tourism, Serbian hosts. It has many hot springs, health resorts, natural phenomena, the potential for • sport/recreation and hunting tourism, sports fields, numerable events, which all gives • adventure tourism, the possibility for further development of this economic niche. • medical tourism, Keywords: tourism, natural resources, • conferences and educational tourism, mountains, hot springs, spas, historic treasures and heritage, folklore. • transit tourism, • camping tourism. INTRODUCTION Such a view of this economic segment indicates the tremendous opportunities for Tourism is an important segment of business development, especially in areas that income generation, as part of the national are rich in tourism potential of certain tourist economy, especially in recent times when it is interest. This indicates the commitment of gaining momentum due to developing of new entrepreneurs and managers to discover a demands of the society, caused by rising of the specific tourism potential, and enable access for overall living standard. It is a specific touristsm, what consequentionally stimulates phenomenon of economy, which is based on other economic activities. people's need for new experiences, which is reflected in the desire of certain populations to Broadly discussing, each spatial unit meet new landscapes and people, their culture has a certain potential for tourism, just that the and customs, cultural heritage and natural targer group has to be discovered and the beauties, etc. interest should be attracted, as well as the desire and motivation, so that the offer could be Tourism adheres in particular to animated in the form of meeting the needs securing the satisfaction of the people in the which cover the specific demand. For that beauties of nature and historical monuments, reason, it is neccessary to point out the tourism but it also has other aspects depending on the potential in the region of Southern Serbia and to purpose might have. propose the necessary actions, which would Any type of movements of people out enhance the use of these resources. of their place of residence but not for the 68 www.japmnt.com (JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, Vol. 1, No.3, 2013. Tourist Resources of South Serbia covered by snow for almost five months of the year. The area of South Serbia covers the districts of Pirot, Jablanica, Niš and Pčinja. Mountain altitudes range from 1,100 to 1,900 meters and this creates a great potential Southern Serbia occupies an area of the river for development and construction of trails for basins of South Morava River and its alpine skiing, so we especially emphasize the tributaries including the river of Nišava. These following resources: rivers flow through broad and fertile plains and steep and rugged gorges which all gives the “Babin zub” (Grannies Tooth) – attractiveness to the area including specific mountain peak, located at an altitude of 1,758 natural features. This is the most important pass meters, is one of the most beautiful parts Stara route of the Balkan Peninsula with major Planina. Spectacular rocks of Babin Zub are highways leading to the southeast across ending southwest of Midžor mountain peak at Bulgaria to Istanbul and to the south in the an altitude of 2,169 meters, which is the highest direction of Greece, which makes the link peak of Stara Planina and ovrall Serbia. Babin between Central Europe and the Mediterranean Zub makes a protected nature reserve. Ski to Asia and Africa. Cities of this area are lying center was built in this beautiful area. ''The in the valleys, surrounded by the mountains, offer of the ski center Babin Zub includes ski whereas the villages are spread out over the paths at locations such as: "Konjarnik", "Sun mountain meadows and open spaces, in the Valley" and "Marko's Meadow." Ski resort of river valleys, or in the periurban areas. Cities Babin Zub has a four-seater chairlift are generally located in the valleys of the "Konjarnik" with conveyor for loading skiers, mountains that surround them, and there is a with capacity of up to 1,400 skiers per hour and need to mention at least a few mountain a ski lift "Anchor" - "Sun Valley" with capacity beauties of exceptional attractiveness for both of 1,200 skiers per hour, and ski kindergarten the rural as well as for sports and recreation, for children with conveyor "Marko's Meadow . convention and hunting tourism. We must not " neglect the central city areas with its historical and cultural heritage (monasteries and The first gondola chairlift in Serbia can numerous places of worship, which formed the be found at the location of "Jabučko ravnište". hub of Christianity), survived and resisted the Eight seater gondola chairlift transports skiers weathering challenges of the past centuries and to the connecting system of chairlifts and lifts several war destructions. and ski slopes. This part of the resort has and four-seater lift, a ski lift so that it is connected with the other part of the resort at Babin Zub. More than 13 kilometers of ski paths of Elements odf special importance: different levels of difficulty were prepared for skiers of all categories. A path for the free ride Stara Planina12 - The Old Mountain is is also provided for the extreme sports covering the area east of the towns of enthusiasts. In addition, the ski center of Stara Knjaževac and Pirot. It is the highest mountain Planina has built an artificial snowing system, in eastern Serbia. High mountain range of so that in case of lack of natural snow, visitors fascinating beauty and pristine nature extends of the center can enjoy winter sports13. as a natural border with Bulgaria. It is one of the most beautiful mountains in the country and This potential is not used enough, and it has a huge potential for tourism development. infrastructural investmants are needed, such as Stara Planina is a natural resource of great higher quality roads and the construction of importance, and it could be seen as the first accommodation facilities. category when ranking the natural resources. This area of exceptional beauty and magic is Special attraction could be provided in the congress tourism, but not enough work is 12 /www.skijalistasrbije.rs/sr 13/ www.skijalistasrbije.rs/sr 69 www.japmnt.com (JPMNT) Journal of Process Management – New Technologies, International Vol. 1, No.3, 2013. carried out in this tourist segment although Suva Planina14 This mountain is the some activities are organized by using of hotel gem of South Serbia, as one of our most space, and there are implementation plans for beautiful, but at he same time it is a wild construction of new ones too. mountain. Suva Planina has not been adequately explored and is a true oasis of Stara Planina Hotel & Spa is located in pristine nature. There are places where even such a position so that it offers direct access to today human foot hss not encroached yet. From the ski paths. It was open in 2012 and it has 2002 on, it is under state protection along the impressive wellness offer (hydro massage tub, area of 45 km in length 15 km in width. The fitness center, swimming pool, etc.). Ski mountain belongs to the Carpatho-Balkan group equipment can be rented there and and ski based on the geological and geographical school is organized. All rooms are multi- findings. It extends in the direction northwest- purpose, they have natural lighting and sound southeast in altitude zones of 250 to 1,810 insulation and they can be differently arranged. meters above sea level. It starts east of Niška All conveniences a guest could need are Banja Spa and it ends at the southwest near available (for organization of seminars, Babušnica. This mountain has trully an amazing conferences, workshops, or special reception enchanting magic and beauty. Located in the arrangements and accommodation). Rental area of the so called CATENA MUNDI - the space includes 146 units of accommodation imaginary center of the Balkans or the "chains within the hotel chain of Falkensteiner Hotels & of the world", 15 km east of Nis, on the area of Residence. It is the youngest, but certainly the 250 square kilometers Suva Planina ranks more promising Ski Centre of Serbia and the among the most scenic and the most beautiful Balkans. Stara Planina along with Kopaonik mountains of Serbia. It is shaped as a Mountain range is among the touristic areas of particularly high and huge mountain range of highest value in Serbia. The nearest inhabitted south-eastern Serbia, which belongs to the settlement in the vicinity of the tourist center is southwestern part of the Carpathian-Balkan the village Kalna, some 20 km away. Babin mountain system in the municipalities of Niška Zub is one of the peaks of Stara Planina Banja, Gadžin Han, Bela Palanka, Babušnica Mountain and is located at an altitude of 1,780 and Vlasotince. It has very poor infrastructure m. (accommodation facilities and roads) for tourism but the remaining population living in The largest mountain resort in Serbia is the area is very hospitable and ready to accept being built on Stara Planina and the investment any traveler be it random or organized.