Another research project from last year’s International Field Project (IFP) takes us to Virpazar, a small village on the shores of Lake Skadar National Park in Montenegro. While many visitors know Virpazar as the starting point for boat tours across the lake, the destination also offers hiking, birdwatching, local wineries and a unique natural landscape that attracts thousands of nature lovers every year.
But what happens when the very environment that draws visitors starts to change?
To answer this question, one group of BSc Tourism students investigated the climate risk profile of Virpazar’s tourism value chain. By combining a value chain analysis with interviews, field observations and desk research, they explored how climate change is already affecting tourism businesses, local organisations and the destination as a whole.
Over the course of their fieldwork, the students spoke with accommodation owners, restaurant owners, boat tour operators, representatives from National Parks of Montenegro, local authorities and other tourism stakeholders. Together, these conversations painted a fascinating picture of how climate change is no longer something people only read about, but, it has become part of everyday life in Virpazar.
Many stakeholders described noticing warmer temperatures, longer periods of drought, changing rainfall patterns and the arrival of invasive species in and around Lake Skadar. These changes affect much more than the natural environment. Boat tours depend on stable water levels, local vineyards are becoming more vulnerable to changing weather conditions, and tourism businesses increasingly have to adapt to an unpredictable climate.
The research also uncovered challenges that go beyond the physical impacts of climate change. Stakeholders pointed to fragmented responsibilities between organisations, limited communication, dependence on fossil fuels and a lack of awareness about climate adaptation. While many people recognise that change is happening, turning that awareness into coordinated action remains a challenge.
At the same time, the students found something encouraging: a strong sense of pride in Lake Skadar and a
genuine willingness among local stakeholders to protect it. Whether through sustainable tourism initiatives, nature conservation or everyday business practices, many people are already contributing to a more resilient future for the destination.
This research reminds us that protecting nature-based tourism means protecting the ecosystems that make destinations special in the first place. As climate change continues to reshape destinations around the world, understanding local perspectives is an important step towards building tourism that can adapt for generations to come.
Curious to learn more? Read the full research paper here!
You can also watch the accompanying video here!
