Occupancy of the highly categorized accommodation related to the changed conditions of demand: The example of the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja

Abstract

The municipality of Vrnjacka Banja, which has an excellent tourist base, a good offer of accommodation facilities and a huge tradition, is certainly one of the "tourist" leaders, which is why the success of its business can be viewed through the prism of overall spa tourism business in Serbia. A review of the existing business of highly categorized facilities in the municipality of Vrnjačka Banja can serve to obtain a clearer picture of the position of similar economic entities in the Republic of Serbia, especially in spa tourism. After reviewing the motive base of this municipality, this research discusses the supply, occupancy and price of highly categorized accommodation in the municipality, before the outbreak of the pandemic and compared to the demand in the first six months after the outbreak of the pandemic. Based on the analysis of the business of highly categorized accommodation capacities in the first six months of the crisis, it was determined that despite big problems, they managed to survive on the market. State aid and the discovery of alternative forms of accommodation helped them overcome the crisis period until the return to normal business conditions.