Attitudes and perceptions of local residents and tourists – a comparative study of the twin national parks of Aggtelek (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

National parks (NPs) are the flagships of protected areas, which primarily serve protection nature, but also important sites for tourism. While karst areas generally disadvantageous in terms traditional farming, tourism can provide new livelihoods those who live there. Therefore, it does matter how local people relate to NP and tourism, opinion tourists is an factor. In this article, we present results a questionnaire survey conducted Aggtelek Park (ANP) Slovak Karst (SKNP). Our show that locals, forest most natural resource often visited by them, while tourists, caves first choice. Conflicts between locals negligible, all actors agree further increase both ANP SKNP, majority alike have rather positive view NP. However, there still significant group residents negative about One reason may be feel they only marginal influence on decisions. The plays more role lives than because has larger organisational background human resources smaller population. Although geotourism largely missing from vocabulary park management alike, small part visitors consider themselves sensu lato geotourists. As motivation keyword “cave”, content term “karst” much less known (especially Hungarian side). Hungary, Baradla Cave due school education. We found internet, although one sources information visitors, was not port call, outstanding compared other factors.