MOUNTAIN TOURISM IN MACEDONIA: ASSESSMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK "PELISTER"

Macedonia, as a mountain country, has extraordinary natural preconditions and possibilities for developing mountain tourism. Although it possesses different types of accommodation facilities (mountain lodges and houses; children and youth vocation facilities; boarding houses; etc.), Macedonia is facing many challenges. The article investigates the current level of mountain tourism development by elaborating the case of the National Park "Pelister" - Bitola (Macedonia). The analysis is based on qualitative research method and incorporates: a) Survey and interviews with mountaineers and responsible persons for mountain tourism development; and b) Secondary data analysis, by reviewing literature. Generally, it was concluded that the evaluated national park has numerous weaknesses that need to be addressed and various profound limiting factors that prevent its tourism development. Yet, by segmented and a tailor-made promotion, the National Park "Pelister" may gain many economic benefits thus overcoming the current scarce tourism valorization and at the same time, may boost mountain tourism development in Macedonia.