CULTURAL HERITAGE IN THE FUNCTION OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT : A CASE STUDY

Culture is a common characteristic of all peoples and nations, and according to the anthropological point of view, it is the basis of the development of states in the context of civilization and progress. People are given to use culture, but at the same time, culture and its entire heritage must be continuously preserved and nurtured. Although it seems that the culture of ethnic groups is part of the dynamics of every society, in Kosovo the politics of cultural management, the long-standing gap between regulatory investments and the representation of minority heritage raise questions about credible solutions that should be implemented, so that the entire cultural wealth of Kosovo becomes a resource not only for local but also for regional and development. Peja is special not only because of its spatial characteristics but also because of its traditions and the way of life of its citizens. Urban city parks, squares, beaches, markets, waterfront, forum, organ and salutation to the sun, cultural heritage, and intangible heritage, are all part of the identity of the city of Peja, which precisely with all its natural beauty and numerous cultural and historical monuments has all the prerequisites to become a recognizable center on the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. On the other hand, this potential has not yet been used sufficiently. It was important to determine whether Peja has the predispositions for further development of the tourist offer, and how much work is being done on it. Two groups, visitors and residents, were examined, and how satisfied they were with the offer and choice of tourist services in the city of Peca. The paper evaluated the quality of tourist services, the influence of promotional activities on the arrival of tourists in the city of Pec, and the contribution of event activities and new tourist products in creating a recognizable tourist destination brand. The satisfaction of tourists in a tourist destination is an important factor for the development of the destination itself, especially because decisions are made to improve the tourist offer of the destination itself based on the (dis)satisfaction of the guests.