This research focuses on analyzing residents' perception and attitude toward tourism development in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H). For the purpose of this research, the existing models on residents' perception and attitudes were modified and a new theoretical model of six constructs was tested applying Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The dimensions of the model, perception of tourism management, perception of economic, social and environmental impacts, residents' satisfaction, support for further tourism development, were formed as latent variables, accompanied with a set of three or four consonant questions. The model suggests that the support for tourism development is indirectly stipulated by the perception of tourism management, and by economic, social and environmental impacts. Analyses have shown that 6 out of the 7 suggested hypotheses have been confirmed. The findings indicate that the residents of the FB&H strongly support tourism development as they perceive it brings more positive impacts, which are greater than the actual governmental investment into the sector.

In recent years, the central stage in tourism world is taken by sustainable tourism development. One could say that there is nothing left to say about sustainable tourism development since it has numerous conferences, textbooks and corporate policy statements. However, there are only few examples of successful sustainable tourism initiatives that inspire, mainly due to the failure of putting theory into practice. This study underlines main approaches and practices for more sustainable tourism development giving attention to environmental protection which can be with little willingness and effort easily accomplished. Impact of tourism is huge, it is positive and negative how on natural also on other environments, but it is manageable if the general policy and the aim is sustainable development. Responsible planning, consensus building, holistic thinking, encouraging good practices and regulation of negative impacts are just some of crucial steps toward approaching more sustainable way of tourism development.

Abstract This research aims to explore the processes of tourism planning and policies in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). For this purpose, a research model has been designed and tested for use in the case of BiH. The main backdrop to this model is based on a new, alternative tourism planning perspective (Tourism planning: a third way?) developed and designed for similar situations (Burns, 2004). The study proceeded by examining the institutions responsible for tourism development through the application of in-depth interviews, content analysis, personal communications, and observation. The findings of the study revealed that although the concept of tourism planning is well understood amongst decision-makers, it has, however, remained a theoretical precept rather than a practice which is implemented. The study has also revealed that the perception of tourism planning and development is devoid of new approaches in respect of the issues of sustainability and community involvement in the decision making process. Therefore, sustainability is not used as an integrated framework, and policies are made without including these two important dimensions, which are at the core of the Third Way model. According to the findings, the present situation can be attributed on the one hand to the political complexity of the economies in transition and, on the other, to the reluctance of the officials to commit themselves to a planning process which involves responsibilities and sacrifices.