The Special Nature Reserve “Kraljevac” (RK) is located in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in southern Banat. This first-category reserve covers an area of 264.3 ha and represents a natural item of exceptional importance. The reserve is characterized by significant geological heritage such as loess sections and dune relief, a lake with famous floating peat islands that form the physiology of this wetland, and very rare representatives of flora and fauna. The RK is characterized by the rich cultural heritage of the population living in South Banat. The different ethnic composition of the population and multiculturalism are the main sociocultural tourist motives of this protected area. The Deliblato Sands, known in Europe for their rare geological features, flora and fauna, are located in the immediate vicinity. This significantly increases the value of the RK. Quantitative methodology was used in the paper, which included interviewing respondents as a research technique. The research was conceived according to the Prism of Sustainability (PoS) model. For this sustainable tourism research, a total of 750 respondents (470 residents and 280 visitors) were surveyed. A written and online questionnaire was used in the survey of respondents. By using a questionnaire, respondents expressed their views on certain statements that were grouped into two categories. The claims refer to the natural and sociocultural factors of tourism development in this protected area. Both categories of tourism destination factors can significantly influence sustainable tourism. In addition, we examined the impact of sociocultural and natural factors on respondents’ satisfaction with sustainable tourism. The research results indicate that there is a significant influence of these factors on the satisfaction of residents and visitors with sustainable tourism. The results of this research can provide important information when planning the development of tourism in this protected area. Also, the results can help in the evolution of tourism development at the local, national and regional levels. The forms of tourism that could be central in the RK are scientific research, sports–recreational, ecotourism, bird-watching, events, cultural, gastronomic, and other tourism forms. These forms of tourism can provide environmental, economic and social benefits for this protected area as a tourism destination.

Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) is one of the leading health risks globally. Several European regions experience high PM concentrations due to the burning of fossil fuels for domestic heating. Accordingly, Serbia ranks among the countries with the highest levels of air pollution. The annual mean concentrations are the most common indicator in exposure studies. However, this study uses station data in Serbia to indicate the concentrations to which the population is exposed during the heating season (October–April) based on daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations from 2011 to 2022. In addition, events with concentrations above WHO-recommended daily upper limits (45 μg/m³ for PM₁₀ and 15 μg/m³ for PM_2.5) are classified by duration, intensity, and the cumulative sum of excess concentrations. The highest daily mean PM₁₀ concentration in the heating season is 87.1 μg/m³, and for PM_2.5, the highest concentration is 65.6 μg/m³ (up to three to four times more than in the rest of the year in both cases). During the most extreme events, mean daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 concentrations were in the ranges of 150–200 μg/m³ and 100–150 μg/m³, respectively. The cumulative sum of excess concentration in the most extreme events reached up to ~7600 μg/m³ for PM₁₀ and ~5000 μg/m³ for PM_2.5. To better understand the problem, the share of occupied dwellings with heating installations and prevailing types of fuels were explored on the municipal level. In general, in most municipalities in Serbia, the share of dwellings with heating installations is up to 60%. Among those, dwellings with district heating dominate, while only a small number of them have a significant share of central heating. When it comes to fuel types, wood is primarily used in dwellings with district heating or without heating installations. These findings imply directions for the development of air quality planning and management policies.

This paper analyzed the spatial distribution of drought at meteorological stations on the Lim valley (Plav, Andrijevica, Berane and Bijelo Polje) and on the upper course of the river Ibar (Rožaje). The goal of this research is to point out the modern climatic characteristics in relation to the current state of aridization, which is a limiting factor for economy of the population in many areas throughout the world. The method used for such purposes is the De Marton drought index. Results of the research indicated a decrease in the annual drought index through the Lim valley, with the highest values for Plav (IDM=61,9), and the lowest for the lowest downstream station Bijelo Polje (IDM=41,3). The values of this climate index indicate the conditions of very humid (Berane, Bijelo Polje and Rožaje) and extremely humid climates (Plav and Andrijevica), with huge drainage and forest vegetation. By applying the De Marton index on a seasonal and monthly level, the highest values of this indicator were established in the winter season.

The objective of the study is to investigate the current state of the canyons in the northern part of Montenegro, their potential for sustainable development, which could be achieved through canyoning as an attractive tourist attraction, and to assess the area’s geotourism potential. The canyons encompassed in this research are the Nevidio Canyon, the Tara Canyon, the Grlja Canyon, and the canyon of the river Ibar. The research was carried out using the modified Geosite Assessment Model, which includes tourists’ opinions on the significance of indicators in the assessment process. The obtained results show that all four canyons possess significant scientific, educational, and aesthetic values for the development of canyoning tourism. Since surveyed tourists pointed out not only the advantages but disadvantages of these geosites, these findings should be further used for the valorization and geoconservation of the geosite and provide a more favorable deal for the arrival of as many tourists as possible. In the future, investigated geosites should be improved with tourist content and activities, such as interpretive boards for tourists, expert guides, organized visits, tourist infrastructure, and promotion. Successful activities in these critical areas could contribute to sustainable geotourism being one of the key economically beneficial activities of the local population that will develop local communities through the arrival of a larger number of domestic and foreign tourists.

The geoecological assessment of the natural potentials of the Montenegrin municipality of Šavnik for the purposes of recreational tourism is carried out in this work using the quantitative diversity method (V-Wert method). The main criteria used in this evaluation method are natural elements (forests, water areas, relief, climate) and land cover. For the evaluation, the whole procedure was implemented in the environment GIS (Geographic Information Systems) using the software QGIS 3.14. The evaluation results show that unfavorable areas occupy 247 km 2 (39%), conditionally favorable 185 km 2 (30%), favorable 141 km 2 (22%) and very favorable 54 km 2 (9%). Despite the significant natural potential, which is partially recognized by this method with certain advantages and disadvantages, recreational tourism and all forms of tourism are underdeveloped in the municipality.

This study aims to evaluate the significance of glacial lakes within the municipality of Plav from the perspective of geotourism development, employing the modified geosite assessment model methodology for geosite assessment. Although the Plav region is distinguished by its exceptional natural values and landscape diversity, it has not yet been the subject of systematic investigation concerning its geoheritage and geotourism potential. This research represents an initial contribution toward the identification, valorization, and promotion of glacial geosites as a foundation for the development of sustainable geotourism in the area. The analysis encompasses four glacial lakes: Lake Plav, Visitor Lake, Hrid Lake, and Abdija Lake. These lakes represent attractive geosites and play a vital complementary role in shaping an integrated geotourism offer, contributing to the diversity of content and spatial cohesion of tourist attractions within the municipality. The findings confirm that the glacial lakes in Plav possess considerable geotourism potential, providing a robust basis for the planning of specialized tours, educational activities, and the dissemination of geoscientific knowledge. Realizing this potential necessitates coordinated collaboration among local government bodies, tourism organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to develop infrastructural support, enhance the interpretation of geosites, and promote geotourism as a sustainable form of tourism. Although previously underrecognized within the geoheritage framework, the Plav area offers substantial opportunities for further scientific research, educational initiatives, geoconservation efforts, and recreational use in alignment with the principles of geotourism development.