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Background/Objectives: Vedolizumab (VDZ) is approved in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD). VDZ exhibits considerable variability in its pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, and its exposure-response relationship is not yet fully understood. The aim was to investigate the variability in VDZ trough levels and PK parameters, to assess the relationship between VDZ PK and biochemical response, as well as clinical and endoscopic outcomes. Methods: We included 61 UC and 45 CD patients. Patients' data and trough VDZ concentrations were retrospectively obtained. Population PK analysis was performed using non-linear mixed-effects modelling with NONMEM (version 7.5). Graphs and statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.1.3). Results: In total, 116 trough VDZ concentrations from 106 patients were described by a two-compartment model. For a typical patient, clearance (CL) was estimated at 0.159 L/day, while in patients previously treated with anti-TNFα agents, VDZ CL increased by 26.4% on average. In univariate binary logistic regression, VDZ trough concentration was not statistically significant predictor of remission, whereas CL was. Moreover, combined CL and faecal calprotectin (FCP) were a statistically significant predictors of remission. The hazard ratio (HR) for CL above 0.1886 L/day was 0.35 (p = 0.05) and for FCP below 250 µg/g was 2.66 (p = 0.02) in a time-to-event analysis. Conclusions: Our population PK model incorporates the effect of prior anti-TNFα agents on CL, suggesting its association with more severe forms of IBD. VDZ CL emerged as a more robust and clinically relevant predictor of remission in IBD patients than trough concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing memorable experiences is considered very effective strategy for gaining a sustainable competitive advantage. Memorable tourism experience (MTE) is still a relatively novel concept, hence its antecedents and outcomes are not completely identified. The primary goal of this research was to explore tourist personality and travel motivation as antecedents and the perceived destination personality, satisfaction, and revisit intention as outcomes of an MTE. The study was conducted on a sample of 614 foreign visitors to three biggest urban destinations in Serbia (Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis). For testing hypothesis, SEM (structural equation modelling) was applied. The results show that personality trait openness to experience and motivational factor knowledge and experience showed the strongest influence on MTEs. Also, all seven dimensions of memorable experience affected perceived destination personality. Practical implications and potential future research approaches are also highlighted in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecotourism is a nature-based type of tourism, especially represented within protected areas. No matter the fact, just like the other selective types of this sector, ecotourism might affect the environment. In a process of writing the Visitor Management Plan in the Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve (SNR) in 2019, one part of the study was related to general projection of the ecotourism development impact on eco-educational paths within this SNR. The research was conducted throughout November 2019, in the form of interviews. The sample obtained 12 experts for nature protection, who stated their attitudes on three important topics: tourism in protected areas in general, tourism in the Gornje Podunavlje SNR and ecotourism within three concrete sites: Karapandža, Štrbac and Bestrement.

Religious tourism holds a significant place in travel experiences, particularly at monasteries, where visitors often encounter profound emotional experiences. This study aims to investigate the emotional experiences and place attachment of religious tourism at monasteries in Serbia, utilizing quantitative methods and an online survey approach. Through an online survey administered to visitors of Serbian monasteries, this study seeks to quantify and analyze the emotional experiences and two-dimensional place attachments reported by participants during their sacred journeys. The survey instrument includes measures to understand place attachment through place dependence and place identity, satisfaction, emotional experience, and destination loyalty under one framework. Additionally, demographic variables will be examined to identify potential differences in emotional experiences and place attachment among different visitor groups. The results indicate that place attachment is influenced by emotional experience and satisfaction, which further influences destination loyalty. The findings of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the destination loyalty and place attachment aspects of religious tourism at Serbian monasteries, providing valuable insights for tourism management and destination marketing efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which residents' perceptions of their place image can predict their perceptions of the impacts of tourism, and ultimately, to elucidate their support for sustainable tourism development in Midyat, Turkey. This city currently faces a range of negative impacts associated with tourism, such as inflation, high leakage, threats to family structures, environmental degradation, pollution, and crowding. At the same time, Midyat seeks to maximize the positive impacts of tourism, including job creation and employment, environmental protection, cultural and educational enrichment, and recreational opportunities. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a strategic shift in development. The study population consists of residents residing in Midyat, Turkey, from whom three hundred and fifty-six questionnaires were collected. PLS (Partial Least Squares) path analysis was utilized to analyze the research model constructed based on the literature. The results demonstrated that residents' place image significantly predicted two out of three impacts of tourism, namely, socio-cultural and economic impacts. Additionally, residents' perceptions of environmental and socio-cultural impacts were significant predictors of their support or opposition to sustainable tourism. While perceived environmental impacts have a positive effect on support for sustainable tourism, perceived economic impacts have a negative effect. This finding can guide tourism planners and professionals to make more informed decisions and take stronger steps toward sustainable tourism development. This study revealed that the quality of life, job opportunities, infrastructure, and economic income of Midyat's residents are insufficient. However, the city is characterized by social attributes, such as friendliness, trust, and supportiveness. The results are limited to local residents, and using only one tourist stakeholder to assess sustainable tourism development is insufficient. Therefore, additional research must be performed to guarantee the involvement of other tourism stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objectives of this research were twofold: firstly, to evaluate tourists' perception of Gornje Podunavlje Special Nature Reserve, one of the four significant protected areas within the Serbian part of Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve, and secondly, to identify the motivations behind tourists' visits to wetlands and their overall satisfaction with the visits. In addition, this study was also focused on the relationships between aforementioned constructs and tourists' socio-demographic characteristics and visit characteristics. Finally, this study attempts to address the relationships between tourists' motives for their visit, their image perception and satisfaction. The research findings showed that each of the three remaining factors had significant relationships with Satisfaction and experience. The research was conducted in the form of the survey in the period between May 2020 and April 2022 on the sample of 216 visitors. The research findings showed that each of three remaining factors had significant relationships with Satisfaction and experience. Relationships are also found between identified improvement requirements, Motivation for spending time particularly in wetlands, and perceived biodiversity image. Finally, there are significant relationships between duration of the visit with Satisfaction and experience and Motivation for spending time in nature and future behavior. Practical implications of the research results might be beneficial for managers of wetland destinations, in order to improve the offer in line with tourists' preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local communities face a double-edged sword when it comes to tourism development; their attitude directly influences tourism growth and helps spread the word within the community. The local community is increasingly affected socioeconomically by tourism development, which results in the development of attitudes (both positive and negative) based on the perceived effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tourism and local support for tourism development in a national park in western Serbia. The data were gathered from locals (580) who reside in the municipality where the national park belongs. Based on their own experiences and their belief that tourism can preserve natural and cultural resources and protect them for future generations, the Tara National Park community was found to favor further tourism development. They disagree that problems would arise from factors often associated with increasing tourism, such as traffic, price increases, or pollution. This study was carried out during the pandemic crisis, which is seen as a paradigm shift in the travel and tourism sectors and offers an opportunity to do better and continue operating in a more sustainable way. Therefore, we propose that these findings be taken into account when developing sustainable tourist management strategies, particularly in national parks and other protected places while respecting the needs and rights of the local people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate how national parks, identified as remarkable and, therefore, worthy of the trip, are visited and experienced. The main objective of this study was to explore the influence of memorable tourism experiences on environmentally responsible behavior, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions as its outcome. By giving an account of how national parks may be experienced by nature-based tourists, its main focus is on the concept of memorable nature-based tourist experience (MNBTE). The data for this research were collected through a survey from tourists visiting national parks in Serbia. The results demonstrate the significance of MNBTE as an important relationship mediator. The study's key contributions are the extension of the memorable tourism experience construct and the inclusion of tourist satisfaction, intention to revisit, recommend, share the experience, and the environmental responsibility of tourists. Practical implications and potential future research approaches are also highlighted in the conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important elements of tourism development is encouraging the participation of the local community. In order to encourage their participation, it is necessary to be aware of the attitudes of the local residents with respect to the development of tourism. The aim of this research is to determine the attitudes of the local community towards the development of sustainable tourism and ecotourism in the protected area Tikvara, along with the local residents' level of nature protection and preservation in the Tikvara Nature Park. A survey was conducted among 301 residents and the results indicate that while good community support for sustainable tourism activities in each area captured by the survey (planning, participation, activities, and decision-making) exists, local residents' attitudes are affected by their sociodemographic characteristics. Nonetheless, a large number of locals were happy to participate in protection programs and believed that the environment should be protected for future generations to enjoy the natural and cultural resources of this area. These findings should be considered when designing sustainable tourism management strategies, while respecting the needs and rights of the local community, as the willingness of locals to develop sustainable tourism is essential for the success of this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to explore the attitudes of the local community towards sustainable tourism development in the protected area River Gradac and examine the effectiveness of the sustainable tourism attitude scale. Sustainable tourism attitude scale (SUS-TAS) is used for analyzing local residents' attitudes towards sustainable tourism development. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented to determine the dimensions of the sustainable tourism attitude scale. The findings of this study support a seven-dimension SUS-TAS model using 28 items that maintained construct validity and internal consistency. The survey's results indicate that Gradac River gorge has a really good community to support sustainable tourism activities in each area considered. Research on residents' attitudes toward tourism development suggests that the support of local residents to be highly important if a community's tourism industry is to be successful and sustainable in the long-term. The results of this overall research study provided essential management implications for tourism planning of the Gradac River gorge in Serbia including the need to incorporate residents' attitudes into tourism planning efforts and decision-making. Through understanding residents' attitudes toward sustainable tourism, it is possible to prioritize management strategies while respecting the needs and rights of the local community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based tourism has become one of the most popular leisure activities in the world. Activities in nature-based sites bring tourists closer to nature and enable them to find out more about the area through which they are walking by discovering diverse heritage and ethnographic features, situated on or near the hiking trails. It brings a wide range of individual benefits such as boosting mood, improving mental health, reducing stress, calming anxiety, and can lead to a lower risk of depression. Hiking accounts for a significant share of nature-based tourism especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper aims to explore the main motives that drive people to hike. Motivation is a key concept in determining and understanding the reasons for leisure and outdoor activities. Using the data collected in March 2021, the findings underline the importance of Relaxation, Discovery and Enjoyment as the factor that shows the greatest hiker's motivation. In addition, Creativity, Learning and Control and Socializing have also proven to be important motivating factors. On the other hand, Recognition has been shown to be the least motive for hiking activities and people do not go on hiking to be recognized or show others that they can do it, except in some cases with younger and less experienced hikers. The paper concludes with research limitations and implications for destination management organizations and tourism service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper aims to identify possibilities for paranormal tourism development in Serbia and to determine domestic tourists' interest in participating in paranormal tourism. Paranormal places and bizarre rituals have been defined as potential paranormal tourism localities and events. Paranormal tourism is one of the new forms of special interest tourism. It is evident that paranormal tourism is a result of the expansion of other related types of tourism, such as dark tourism, ghost tourism, spiritual tourism, cultural tourism, ethnological tourism, new age tourism and pilgrimage tourism. It is defined by tourists' interest in topics which challenge realist ontologies and representational epistemologies. The present study examines responses from 405 Serbia residents (potential tourists). After using descriptive statistics, Independent Samples T-Test and ANOVA, the study finds that potential tourists are interested in visiting certain paranormal places, and there is a possibility to develop this type of tourism in Serbia. The current work is the first study of paranormal tourism in Serbia and one of the few studies in the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the concept of sustainable development, ecotourism has emerged as a special form of tourism aimed at preserving and protecting natural and cultural resources, but also at contributing to the well-being of the local community. Although today the importance of ecotourism is recognized worldwide, there are countries that, despite their natural wealth and potential, have failed to popularize ecotourism. Considering that Serbia is one of them, the main goal of this research was to reveal ecotourism constraints and reasons which prevent domestic tourists from visiting eco-destination. In addition, the study aimed to determine how well the respondents are informed and familiar with the concept of ecotourism. To achieve that, the survey was conducted among 379 participants, residents of Serbia in September 2019. The constraining scale has been created, and by applying exploratory factor analysis, four factors have been singled out (Fears, Lack of resources, Lack of information, and Disadvantages of the tourism product). The findings showed that the biggest constraint preventing domestic tourists from visiting eco-destinations is inadequate waste disposal at such sites. It has also been found that the respondents are highly constrained by the lack of information, time, and money. The results also reveal the degree to which other factors contribute to non-visits to eco destinations, but also which of them do not have a key impact on tourists' decision to avoid such locations. The paper additionally discusses the potential impact of a lack of ecotourism knowledge on the respondents' answers regarding ecotourism constraints in Serbia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores local community attitudes toward ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia using the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUSTAS). Residents of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve acknowledge the sociocultural and economic benefits of ecotourism development while recognizing the negative impacts of development on the natural environment. Low awareness of non-charismatic species among residents contrasts with strong awareness of them among large communities of scientists and naturalists in Serbia. This study shows the importance of local community support for ecotourism and conservation development. Moreover, the study revealed that the SUS-TAS scale can be successfully applied in ecotourism research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]