THE ROLE OF TOURISM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY

Abstract

In the article, Tourism may have a positive economic impact on the balance of payments, on employment, on gross income and production, but it may also have negative effects, particularly on the environment.  Unplanned  and  uncontrolled  tourism  growth  can  result  in  such  a deterioration  of  the  environment  that  tourist  growth  can  be  compromised.  The environment, being the major source of tourist product, should therefore be protected in order to have further growth of tourism  and economic development in the future. This is specially true with regard to tourism based on the natural environment as well as on historical-cultural heritage.