Valorization of Paklenica National park as a destination for ecotourism

The National Park of "Paklenica", as one of the most impressive karstic parts in the world, with distinctive geological, geomorphological, hydrological and biological features, was founded in 1949. The international recognition of the Park has been verified through 20-year visitor data, with 85.7% foreign visitors/tourists. The tourist offer of the park is diversified by identifying and implementing specific forms of tourism such as adventure tourism, ecotourism, wildlife tourism, nature-based tourism. Therefore, we investigated the perception of visitors/tourists about the valorisation of the park regarding the development of ecotourism. We used the survey as the primary measurement instrument of empirical research in this paper. The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire survey on the sample of 359 respondents (N = 359). As the method of data collection direct (face-to-face) interviews were used. The respondents were offered a Likert's scale in order to expresses their disagreement with the statements offered on a 1-7 degree scale Different interests of the respondents indicate their sensibility to natural values / attractions in the park, and so most respondents are interested in the tourism of intact nature (31%), adventure tourism (29%), wildlife tourism (24%) and ecotourism (16% . Furthermore, we have tested five parameters mentioned individually or in combination with all the definitions of ecotourism: a limited impact on environment / environmental sustainability, environmental interaction, local community involvement, environmental The ecotourism level on the 5-dimensional scale is high but its interaction with nature and the involvement of the local community has not reached such a level that can ensure an excellent ecotourism product at the National Park of Paklenica. All summed up, the results show that we have a very good and recognizable ecotourism product in the area of NP Paklenica, and to make it excellent, we have to work seriously on the above mentioned parameters by raising other parameters, too.