Challenges in the Management of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Republic of Croatia

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's oldest and largest protected area, faces significant challenges despite its high conservation status and UNESCO World Heritage designation. A SWOT analysis reveals that while the park excels in biodiversity conservation, investments, and workforce, it struggles with visitor overload in a small area, lack of management plans for tourism, education, or marketing, and threats like inadequate water supply infrastructure and excessive construction near villages. Opportunities lie in leveraging its protected status and strong financial health to adopt sustainable tourism practices, develop educational programs, and implement long-term management strategies—provided these efforts remain politically neutral and continuous. This study underscores the need for strategic, resilient management to ensure Plitvice Lakes remains a benchmark for conservation and tourism excellence.

Vurnek, M., Brozinčević, A., Čulinović, K., & Novosel, A. (2018). Challenges in the Management of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Republic of Croatia. National Parks - Management and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.72375