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Tourism development on Croatian Islands relates to that of other Mediterranean Islands. Their development started in the middle of the 19th century, almost simultaneously as organized tourism appeared in other parts of Europe, peaking during the second half of the 20th century. Concerning land areas, tourism development on the islands is determined by significantly different socioeconomic preconditions. Tourism became highly salient and, for Croatian islands, the mostimportant and almost exclusive economic activity. Nowadays, geographically attractive island regions are transformed from areas predominantly oriented toward labour and production into spaces for leisure and tourism. As tourism gains and monoculture characteristics that increasingly resemble mass tourism spring up, island futures and tourism development face uncertainties. The recent social and economic transformation and transition period significantly influenced all Croatian islands that closely connect tourism with their economic development. The present situation emphasizes an evident touristification of islands, and numerous questions arise on recent tourism development and its influence on island communities and prospects alike. For this study, the Zadar islands were analyzed in the context of global and local processes influencing their socio-economic functions as fragile regions dependent on numerous factors. Considering that each island’s reality is different and unique and that each island is a world unto itself, this paper aims to analyze the predominant attitudes/perceptions of local inhabitants on tourism and its influence on their quality of life. This research was conducted on three Zadar islands: Silba, Vir and Ugljan. Silba is the most distant from the mainland, Vir is bridged, and Ugljan is part of the Zadar peri-urban region. The research aims to compare these islanders’ attitudes based on surveys conducted in 2011/2012 and 2021/2022. Even though researched islands are different according to geographical and some socioeconomic indicators, similar attitudes concerning tourism development on all three islands are detected. The current acute problems on the Zadar islands reflect negative demographic processes, a poor economy, and inadequate administrative centres as causes for their marginalization. In such circumstances, tourism on these islands should be analyzed as one of the developmental instruments and based on sustainable principles to raise the islanders’ life quality and prevent further depopulation and economic regress. |
