Ecological sustainability in agritourism development: navigating opportunities and challenges for a balanced future

This study examines the ecological impacts of rural tourism development in four eco-ethno villages in Western Serbia: Koštunići, Vraneša, Sunčana Reka, and Sirogojno. The research focused on ten ecological indicators, including ecosystem degradation, water and land pollution, disturbance of wildlife, and loss of aesthetic values, as perceived by 468 residents. Using an ordinal Likert scale, respondents assessed the extent of these impacts, with demographic factors such as gender included to explore variations in perception. The findings confirm that rural tourism significantly affects ecological systems, with a majority of respondents reporting negative impacts on key indicators. Gender differences emerged as a significant factor, with women generally perceiving more severe ecological consequences, particularly regarding water consumption and ecosystem degradation. These results underscore the importance of considering gendered roles and responsibilities in understanding how tourism affects local environments. While many respondents noted no change for some indicators, such as air pollution, others highlighted localized issues tied to tourism activities, including increased infrastructure demands and inadequate waste management.