The assessment of carrying capacity: A crucial tool for managing tourism effects in tourist destinations

It is beyond doubt that the theory of tourism lags behind tourism practice. In order to decrease such a gap, theoretical work in tourism has been intensified over the last two decades. The key problems of research include: analysis, interpretation, and management of heterogeneous effects of tourism development, permeating different aspects of human life and work - from the global to the local level. This paper discusses the role, significance, and the ways of estimation and interpretation of the concept of carrying capacity within the conceptual framework of contemporary tourism. The paper also analyses various attitudes and conflicting opinions as to this, still much debated, concept. In the end, some crucial concluding remarks are presented that could alleviate the application of the concept of carrying capacity in practice, assuming its important role in planning tourist destination development and management of various tourism impacts

The Assessment of Carrying Capacity – A Crucial T ool for M anaging T ourism E ffects in T ourist D estinations

It is beyond doubt that the theory of tourism lags behind tourism practice. In order to decrease such a gap, theoretical work in tourism has been intensified over the last two decades. The key problems of research include: analysis, interpretation, and management of heterogeneous effects of tourism development, permeating different aspects of human life and work – from the global to the local level. This paper discusses the role, significance, and the ways of estimation and interpretation of the concept of carrying capacity within the conceptual framework of contemporary tourism. The paper also analyses various attitudes and conflicting opinions as to this, still much debated, concept. In the end, some crucial concluding remarks are presented that could alleviate the application of the concept of carrying capacity in practice, assuming its important role in planning tourist destination development and management of various tourism impacts

Serbia’s trade within CEFTA since the outbreak of the 2008 crisis

This paper aims to analyse recent trends in commodity trade between Serbia and other members of the Central European Free Trade Area (CEFTA). Particular emphasis is put on the changes that occurred in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis, which affected Serbia pretty adversely. The structure and changes in commodity trade between Serbia and other CEFTA members have not been excessively analysed in the existing literature. Therefore, our intention was to thoroughly examine the changes in the dynamics and pattern of such trade, in terms of the total commodity trade, by key product groups, and also major tendencies related to individual partners from CEFTA. We found not only that the relative significance of intra-CEFTA trade for Serbia has been decreasing since the outbreak of the crisis, but also that the values of both exports and imports (denominated in US$) with CEFTA decreased in real terms over the 2008-2013 period

Economic impact of cruise tourism along the pan-European corridor VII

This paper provides some tentative estimates of the economic impact of cruise tourism in receptive countries and regions along the Pan-European Corridor VII. Examples are provided to illustrate the potential benefit to Vojvodina Region (Case study). The results of the analysis have shown that the Corridor VII cruises have positive impact on Vojvodina Province, primarily the riparian area of the Danube (only Novi Sad - the "Port of Vojvodina for cruisers"). Although the benefits exclude accommodation and food expenditure, they are noticeable within the following segments: tourism promotion (broadening the scopes of Vojvodina Province as a receptive area for the foreign market through its cultural heritage and natural values); increase in foreign tourist turnover, visitor's expenditures; new job opportunities (adequate infrastructure and superstructure rendering services to ships, crew and passengers) - harbors, carriers, souvenir shops, etc. / new products, business net, exchange money, invisible export, etc. The results of the research may initiate further studies on the cause and effect connections between this type of travelling and resources of receptive countries, upon which the travels are based, both aiming at adequate design and launching of the tourist offer, i.e. the optimal development of receptive countries through sustainable tourism. Also, the discussion provides potentially useful information to the different stakeholders in the evolving cruise tourism industry, particularly regarding expected (private or social) returns on investment

Community role in heritage management and sustainable tourism development: Case study of the Danube region in Serbia

Destinations and cultural resources that are used and respected by both residents and tourists are the ultimate goal of sustainable tourism development. Sustainable tourism as an emerging paradigm seems to enhance the existing conceptual frameworks on tourism planning and development by making the residents its focal point. In that sense, opinions, and attitudes of residents on the protection of cultural heritage and the possibilities of tourism development in their environment are very important. The Danube region in Serbia is recognized as a region of high-quality natural characteristics and cultural resources which gives an outstanding opportunity for tourism development. The purpose of the study is to examine the current state of the heritage management in the Danube region in Serbia and to outline the tourism development potentials of the area. The objective of the study is to examine the role of the local communities in these aspects. The methods used in the study were a public opinion survey, a focus group interview of 12 experts and the evaluation of the sustainable cultural tourism development indicators. The results have shown that local population in the Danube region in Serbia has, in general, a positive opinion and initial enthusiasm when it comes to tourism development, but their role is marginalized in the process. This is the key proposition to start an initiative for the local communities to actively participate in tourism development.Special Issue: Public Administration and Society: Development, Community and Organizatio

Stanje oralnog zdravlja dece obolele od nasledne distrofičke bulozne epidermolize

Background/Aim. Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of rare, genetic connective tissue diseases that cause blisters in the skin and mucosal membranes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of patients with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica and level of knowledge and opinion of parents about the implementation of preventive measures and quality of dental care of affected children. Methods. This study included a group of 17 patients from Serbia suffering from dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and matched control group. Dental caries status was assessed using the Klein-Palmer index. Oral hygiene status was verified with oral hygiene indices, simplified plaque index, and calculus index as described by Green and Vermillion. The gingiva was assessed as healthy or inflamed (gingivitis) on the basis of any changes in color, shape, size and surface texture. The condition of oral mucosa has been registered on the basis of inspection of the lips, tongue, a floor of the mouth, mouth vestibule and palate. The level of knowledge and the impressions of parents about the application of preventive measures were investigated through two questionnaires specifically designed for this study. Results. In both dentitions, there was the highest percentage of caries teeth. In primary dentition average value of the modified plaque index was 1.4 ± 1.14 and modified calculus was 0.7 ± 1. On permanent teeth average plaque index was 2 ± 0.4, and average calculus 1.6 ± 0.6. Statistically, significant higher values were found in permanent dentition in percentage distribution of decayed, missing, filled teeth and also for plaque and calculus indices between affected children and the control group. Most common findings on mucosa were microstomia (76.5%) and ankyloglossia (88.2%). Conclusion. The absence of protocol between the treating physician and the dentist and not sufficiently informed parents are leading to inadequate dental care. The implementation of preventive measures is of most importance to decrease the risk of severe complications that are difficult to be managed.Uvod/Cilj. Bulozna epidermoliza je grupa retkih, genetski predisponiranih bolesti vezivnog tkiva koja se karakteriše formiranjem bula (mehurova) u koži i mukoznim membranama. Cilj rada bio je da se ispita stanje oralnog zdravlja dece obolele od distrofične bulozne epidermolize, kao i nivo znanja i mišljenje roditelja o primeni preventivnih mera i kvalitetu stomatološke zaštite obolele dece. Metode. U studiju je bilo uključeno 17 bolesnika sa distrofičnom buloznom epidermolizom iz Srbije i odgovarajuća kontrolna grupa. Stanje zuba ustanovljeno je Klein Palmerovim indeksom karijesnih, ekstrakovanih plombiranih zuba - KEP indeksom. Stanje oralne higijene analizirano je indeksima oralne higijene (pojednostavljeni plak indeks i indeks zubnog kamenca po Green-Vermillionu). Stanje gingive je na osnovu inspekcije ocenjivano kao zdrava gingiva ili gingivitis, u zavisnosti od toga da li su joj bili promenjeni boja, oblik, veličina ili struktura. Stanje oralne sluzokože evidentirano je na osnovu inspekcije usana, jezika, poda usne duplje, vestibuluma, plika i frenuluma, kao i mekog i tvrdog nepca. Nivo znanja i utisci roditelja o primeni preventivnih mera i kvalitetu stomatološke zaštite dece obolele od bolozne epidermolize, ispitivani su kroz dva upitnika specijalno dizajnirana za potrebe ove studije. Rezultati. U obe denticije bilo je najviše karijesno obolelih zuba. Za mlečnu denticiju prosečan modifikovani plak indeks iznosio je 1,4 ± 1,14, a modifikovani kalkulus indeks 0,7 ± 1. U stalnoj denticiji vrednosti prosečnog plak indesa i kalkulus indeksa redom su bile 2 ± 0,4 i 1,6 ± 0,6. Utvrđena je statistički značajna razlika u procentualnoj zastupljenosti karijesnih, ekstrahovanih i plombiranih zuba stalne denticije između dece obolele od bulozne epidermolize i kontrolne grupe, kao i za vrednosti plak i kalkulus indeksa. Najčešće promene oralne sluzokože bile su mikrostomija (76,5%) i ankiloglosija (88,2%). Zaključak. Odsustvo protokolarne saradnje između ordinirajućeg lekara i stomatologa, kao i nedovoljna informisanost roditelja, glavni su razlozi lošeg stanja oralnog zdravlja. Primena preventivnih mera je od najvećeg značaja kako bi se sprečio nastanak komplikacija koje je teško sanirati kod ove grupe bolesnika

Formule za udaljenost točke do pravca u ravnini, u smislu lp - udaljenosti, , 1≤p≤∞.

Formula za euklidsku udaljenost točke do pravca u ravnini dobro je poznata učenicima završnih razreda srednjih škola. U ovom radu promatramo općenitije probleme udaljenosti točke do pravca u ravnini, u smislu lp−lp−udaljenosti, 1≤p≤∞. Pokazat ćemo da se i u tim slučajevima, također, mogu izvesti analogne formule za računanje udaljenosti točke do pravca

Strategic framework for green growth in the selected Western Balkan countries

All of the observed Western Balkan countries are committed to the principles of green economy. Over the previous years they have made substantial effort in establishing the institutional, legislative and strategic framework for green growth. In this chapter we give a brief overview of the relevant strategic documents that have been in place as of 2014. From the viewpoint of green growth, they include several types of strategies. The most relevant are those that directly aim to lead economy along the pathway of green (or sustainable) development, and they are often entitled as Sustainable development strategies. We can also observe the existence of another type of comprehensive strategic documents that are relevant for green growth, and these are the development strategies. Although they are oriented towards achieving core economic growth, they often contain provisions for attaining a greener growth. Strategic documents on environment, nature, biodiversity etc. are also important in directing the economy towards sustainability. Then, there are sector-specific strategies, among which energy, agriculture and forestry strategies are of particular significance

The integration of Western Balkan industries into the EU internal market: recent trends in the trade of manufactured goods

The EU accession process of the Western Balkan countries has been accompanied by a major increase in commodity trade with the EU Member States. Consequently, the EU has become the most important trading partner of the Western Balkan countries, but exports from the Western Balkans have been mainly based on low value‐added products (resource‐ and labor‐intensive ones). This chapter sets out to analyze changes in the dynamics and pattern of trade in products of the manufacturing industry between the Western Balkan region and the EU over the past couple of years. Particular attention has been paid to changes that occurred in the wake of the recent global economic crisis. For the purpose of analysis, the data on commodity trade provided by Eurostat has been used. Based on the results of this analysis, we have concluded that the region, as a whole, continues to specialize in the export of labor‐intensive products, such as garments and footwear, and resource‐intensive products, such as metals and wood. When more sophisticated goods, such as machinery and transport equipment, are considered, an increase in the volume of exports, as well as their share, can be observed. It also seems that some of the countries are specializing in the production and export of certain types of machinery and transport equipment, but we could not observe a common regional pattern

CRUISERS ON THE DANUBE – THE IMPACT OF LMX THEORY ON JOB SATISFACTION AND EMPLOYEES' COMMITMENT TO ORGANIZATION

In the early 21st century, tourist cruises along the Danube River (Corridor 7) experience significant expansion. The main task of cruise companies is the satisfaction of guests, which primarily depends on employee satisfaction affected by numerous organizational factors, including the relationship between the employee and the manager as one of the most important. The aim is to examine how the exchange between leaders and followers affects job satisfaction and employee commitment to the organization, is there a connection between these variables and whether there are differences in the perception by managers and crew members. The study included 41 managers and 25 crew members of the river cruisers. Statistical techniques used in the paper are the descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and MANOVA. The results have shown a positive correlation between the LMX theory (the leader–member exchange theory), job satisfaction and commitment to the organization. Also, the results of the research have shown that there is no statistically significant difference between the perception of LMX exchange in the aspects of leaders and associates, but there is a difference in the perception of job satisfaction and commitment to the organization