The need has arisen to implement a circular economic model that enables economic growth and prosperity in accordance with environmental protection and sustainable development because of the current unsustainable linear means of production in the economy. The aim of this paper is to determine the application of the circular economy concept in member countries of the European Union from 2008 to 2016. The purpose is to analyse whether economic development measured by GDP (gross domestic product) affects the analysed circular economy variables. Based on the hypotheses set, an econometric model was formed where GDP was identified as an independent variable, while the dependent variables were the production of municipal waste per capita, the recycling rate of municipal waste, the recycling rate of packaging waste by type of packaging, the recycling of bio-waste, and the recycling rate of e-waste. The first part of the statistical analysis conducted using the Stata software package shows the Pearson correlation between the abovestated variables, while the second part explores the univariate regression model. The results point towards the conclusion that the application of the circular economy concept can ensure economic growth and GDP growth while reducing the use of natural resources and ensuring greater environmental protection.

Purpose – The impact of tourism is an ongoing research interest among scholars as it is directly related to the tourism development process. Residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts can indicate development guidelines if planners pay attention to them. Design – We examine residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts and their support for sustainable tourism development in two similar tourism destinations, Portorož and Opatija, based on their similarity, closeness, and connectedness through time to the present. Approach – There is an urgent need for a strategic development change for both destinations, which are coping with typical negative impacts of tourism, including seasonality, noise and, overcrowding. Methodology – Four hundred and forty-six residents surveyed indicated that tourism development is an important issue. Two databases were combined in order to conduct inference data analysis using SPSS 21 statistical software. Depending on the type of variables, t-test and ANOVA were used for the analysis in addition to the descriptive statistics. Findings – Residents point out a clear and strong message for the importance of their inclusion and active involvement in the decision-making processes of sustainable tourism development. Furthermore, our results revealed higher criticism of tourism impacts among those personally involved in tourism (employed or economically dependent on tourism) and among Portorož locals. Originality - We provide theoretical and practical implications of the research, especially suitable for planners of the destination development, who should be cautious about residents’ reaction to tourism at the destination.

Challenges to Sustainable Development in Island Tourism: Every participant in the life of a local community, hence the local community of the island of Krk as well, must develop an awareness of how they can cooperate in the improvement of quality, environmental protection and safety. This awareness can be achieved through constant education, and the improvement and perfection of all the destination factors for the island of Krk. With the preventive measures of environmental protection and optimal resources usage in the construction projects and management of the island of Krk, as well as waste management practices (the system known as "The Eco Island of Krk"), the island of Krk has to become an example, aware of its responsibility for future generations and the need for sustainable development. Open communication and partner relations with the social community and all interested parties, primarily those related to environmental protection and tourist and visitor safety, must be main factors in the future sustainable development of the island. The adoption of an environmental management system as one of the strategic baselines of the sustainable development of the island provides it with a comparative advantage on the tourism market, thus defining it as an "eco island" with the fulfillment of all legal and other obligations, and satisfying the demands of tourists, the local community and the public, all with the goal of more successful environmental protection.

The main role of local development policy is to create a favorable business environment and new jobs, thus contributing to economic development. Creating a positive business environment to act as a pull factor for new businesses is of great importance, because entrepreneurship conduces to the rise in the supply of goods and to an increase in citizens’ income and revenues of local budgets. This paper therefore examines the main goals of economic development in the towns and municipalities of the Republic of Croatia, as well as the tools used by local governments to encourage entrepreneurship and new businesses. Using a questionnaire, mayors and deputies of towns and municipalities were surveyed, and the sample covered 131 towns and municipalities. The research methodology included a descriptive analysis and the Kruskal–Wallis test. The results indicate that improving the quality of life of the residents, creating new jobs, and retaining the residents in the town or municipality were identified as the most important goals of economic development. To encourage entrepreneurship and new jobs, towns and municipalities most often simplify regulations, reduce local taxes, and introduce various benefits and incentives. The contribution of the paper is manifested in providing useful guidance to local governments to improve the business environment.

Thanks to the application of new technologies which enable rational use of energy, hotel company can now reduce power consumption per night compared to the average expenses of hotels of same quality. This has been enabled by the implementation of so- called intelligent hotel-room system, which includes control system and optimal consumption of energy and water, along with regulation and optimal use of heating and cooling system. The underlying assumption of this report states that the efficacy of energy is not the result of the investment in sophisticated technology only, but is also modified by monitoring and active management of energy consumption. Therefore, it requires specialist knowledge and maintenance workers training. Thus, company’s ecological orientation demands an additional advance in the domain of human resources administration. From the economic standpoint, the report deals with the research in economic effects of intelligent hotel room based on the research in concrete examples in hospitality industry. Furthermore, the paper analyses growing demands and problems in energy supply system of large tourist facilities which have to provide an ultimate solution to energy consumption. In conclusion, there is a need of hotel companies to conduct their business in accordance with ecological demands.