Tourist Competitiveness of Polish Rural Areas

Abstract

Purpose: The process of diversifying economic activity in rural areas and incorporating new non-agricultural and non-production functions into the rural space is currently one of the key determinants of development in these areas. A comparative assessment of Poland's competitiveness against selected European countries has been made in the study. The main objective was to present the conditions of international tourist competitiveness of rural areas in Poland in comparison to other European areas. Design/Methodology/Approach: An in-depth analysis of Poland's competitiveness as a tourist region against the European countries was carried out taking into consideration individual indicators of the second pillar. The study uses a synthetic tourist competitiveness index and panel regression to demonstrate the determinants of this phenomenon. Findings: On the basis of the conducted research, it has been shown that the natural and landscape value of Poland's agricultural areas is highly assessed on a European scale. Therefore, for many consumers in the European Union, Poland is increasingly seen as an attractive region for tourists. At the same time, the importance of these factors in the demand for tourist places has been demonstrated by distinguishing selected aspects of these conditions. Economic factors affecting internal demand as well as environmental and institutional conditions turned out to be the key ones. Practical Implications: The presented considerations are of great importance for practical reasons. They constitute an indicator which, under certain conditions can influence the increase of tourist competitive attractiveness of rural areas in an international perspective. Therefore, they allow to indicate the proper structure of investments and activities aimed at valuing public goods by both private and public entities. Originality/Value: The development of rural areas in the current conditions requires the development of non-agricultural and non-production functions. The article indicates the importance of individual resources and conditions in the proposed model. Not only was their role emphasized, but mutual relations between the factors considered were determined.

Tourism Competitiveness of Rural Areas: Evidence from a Region in Poland

“…A flexible adaptation of the regions to the existing competitiveness conditions is becoming a necessity and it is conditioned by having natural and other various resources, and their skillful use. A positive effect of the qualities of outstanding natural beauty as an essential tourism competitiveness factor was also confirmed in other studies [13,25,49]. Attila, on the other hand, investigating localities in Hungary, found that the level of tourism development and competitiveness was positively correlated with the level of hotel sector development [33].…”

“…In each region of Poland, one can find all the factors; however their potential and quality differ, which frequently becomes an immediate reason for the disproportions between the levels of development of respective regions. In the European Union, Poland is increasingly seen as a region attractive for tourists [13].…”

Silver Tourism Economy in Rural Areas in Poland: A Fad or a Permanent Element?

“…Therefore, these areas form favorable conditions for this tourism now and in the future. Therefore, Poland is increasingly perceived as an attractive tourist region by many EU tourists (Kułyk and Brelik, 2019).…”

“…It cannot be viewed as an example of a fad on the part of the supply of tourist services in rural areas in Poland and demand on tourists. The socio-economic and natural potential of rural areas opens up great opportunities for developing this economic activity in terms of supply and demand (Kułyk and Brelik, 2019). It provides the basis for introducing new economic functions, including tourism, and allows for additional employment for older adults (Stanny, 2013).…”

Symbols of Multiculturalism in the Public Space of a Border Town

“…Through territorial cooperation, symbols, characters, multiculturalism, we become recognizable and attractive for tourists (Kułyk and Brelik, 2019), and above all, tolerant and open to others. Such activities lead to the recognition and respect of cultural differences (Fritz et al, 2005).…”