QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF PREPAREDNESS AND POTENTIAL OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREAS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Abstract

The paper presents the results of qualitative research focused on sustainable tourism in two protected landscape areas and a national park in the Czech Republic. It aims to determine the state of the art of sustainable tourism in these areas and to compare them from the point of view of the possibilities and potential of sustainable tourism development. The paper uses data from structured interviews with key stakeholders (destination agencies, municipalities, regional governments and bodies offering services in tourism and mobility) and secondary data on tourism services provided in the studied areas. Using qualitative methods, we evaluate the awareness and preparedness of stakeholders and propose possible measures to strengthen sustainable tourism. The presented research results are part of a comprehensive study to develop guidelines for the so-called "Mobility Plans for Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs)".