IMPACT OF SPORT LEISURE ACTIVITIES ON LOCAL COMMUNITY: RESIDENT`S PERCEPTION IN THE CASE OF MOUNTAIN RESORT POPOVA SHAPKA
Keywords:
impact, sport leisure, mountain resort, local community, Popova ShapkaAbstract
The mountain as a destination, especially in the Macedonian tourism, is still perceived and managed as a predominantly one-season or winter tourist destination. Popova Shapka is mountain resort which is perceived as an exclusively sports winter resort located in the northwestern part of Macedonia. This one-season character with increasingly uncertain periods of snow activity calls into question its character. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the program of products in the field of sports leisure for all seasons. This program expansion is conditioned by the support of the resident population. Therefore, with this paper we tried to assess their perception of new products and services in the field of sports leisure and their impact on the local community. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 90 respondents. The questionnaire was structured in two sets of questions: socio-demographic characteristics and expressed views on economic and socio-cultural impact, as well as environmental impact of the local community with the introduction of new sports products and services. All were rated on the Likert scale. Statistical processing of data, through the application of measures of central tendency and distribution as well as factor analysis. showed that residents clearly and unequivocally see the resort as a potential for local regeneration: socio-cultural, economic, and environmental. New investments, innovations, and engagement of highly skilled human resources through new sports leisure products on the mountain can do that. In addition, they accurately locate the segments for possible regeneration in this way by strengthening the local culture, expanding the network of authentic gastronomic facilities, new jobs, increasing the habits of regular physical activity, strengthening the network of sports facilities and sustainable environment. The findings thus confirm what the analysis of the literature review that the benefits of sports leisure as an integral part of tourism are perceived as multiple for the local community. And the support for program reorganization in this case is more than visible.
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