Renata Krukowska

Transformations of Cultural Landscape

The area of eastern Poland, referred to as ‘the eastern wall’, is a rarity on a European scale. Unique landscapes have been preserved here, shaped in the past by the representatives of the nations, religions and cultures, which coexisted in this area. In this part of Poland — currently almost homogenous in terms of ethnical structure — elements that document stormy periods of historic development have been permanently inscribed in the landscape. In the present study, we perceive landscape as a historically shaped fragment of geographic space, which is the outcome of environmental and cultural interactions. The picture forms a specific structure, which manifests itself in the individual regional character of physiognomy. It is a synthesis of the natural environment and man’s activities. A natural environment comprises the whole of the natural conditions that provide a basis for man’s economic activity.

Tourism Function as an Element of Regional Competitiveness

Abstract Introduction. Regions can gain a competitive advantage in different ways, among others by making rational use of their resources in creating regional tourism products. Among these resources, what is of major importance, apart from having natural and cultural resources, is the tourist accommodation offered, which not only makes it possible to increase tourist traffic in the region but can also give it a competitive advantage over other regions. The accommodation and the tourist traffic recorded there can serve as indicators of the level of the development of the tourism function of a region and its dynamics. The aim of the current study is to determine, describe, and analyse the nature of the changes in the tourism function of all sixteen provinces in Poland. Material and methods. The study used indices based on the size and type of the accommodation and the volume of tourist traffic. Statistical data for the years 2000-2015 concerning the size of the tourist accommodation as well as the types of facilities and their occupancy by tourists were obtained from the official publications of the Polish central statistical office. The tourism function indices for Poland and particular provinces were calculated based on data for 2000 and 2015. The results obtained made it possible to identify trends in the increases or decreases in the tourist accommodation capacity and tourist traffic in the facilities and to estimate the changes in the tourism function based on this analysis. Conclusions. The data that were collected and processed made it possible to determine the regional structure of the tourist accommodation offered as well as the level of its occupancy. In general, the largest concentration of tourist accommodation was found in regions of high natural and cultural value (the Zachodniopomorskie, Pomorskie, Małopolskie, and Dolnośląskie Provinces). According to the values of the tourism function indices, the following provinces were in the most favourable situation: Zachodniopomorskie, Małopolskie, and Pomorskie (with a Schneider index exceeding 100 and a Charvat index exceeding 300). A relatively high level of the development of the tourism function was also noted for the Dolnośląskie Province (with the aforementioned indices exceeding the values of 90 and approximately 250, respectively). The four provinces listed above also distinguished themselves when it comes to the values of the Defert index (above 100), that is the number of tourists relative to the surface. The provinces whose tourism function was the least developed were the Opolskie and Lubelskie Provinces (with a Schneider index below 80, a Charvat index below 80, and a Defert index below 30).

Tourist Potential of the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland and Its Application in the Context of the Functioning of the Polesie National Park

Abstract Introduction. The conducted study regarding the environmental and cultural tourism values, level of management and transport accessibility, as well as selected elements of the tourism policy of the local authorities involved the determination of the tourist potential of the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland. Areas of the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland most attractive in terms of landscape are under protection in the form of the Polesie National Park. The article discusses the issue of the tourist exploration of the PNP. It presents information on the tourism management and tourist traffic rate and variability in the years 1993-2013. Material and methods. The article was prepared based on direct observations and research by the authors in the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland. The research procedure performed in 15 communes involved the analysis of factors influencing the features of the tourist space of the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland. The tourist potential of the communes was assessed based on 18 features classified into three groups (tourist values, tourist management, and transport accessibility). The assessment was expressed in numerical values of synthetic measures of tourist attractiveness specified for each of the communes. The tourist attractiveness of the area and degree of development of the tourist and holiday function were assessed in the context of the description of its tourist potential. Results. The synthetic measures of tourist attractiveness calculated by means of the method of multidimensional comparative analysis varied from 0.142 (Hańsk) to 0.368 (Włodawa). Out of 15 communes located in the Lakeland, 5 communes were classified as very attractive, 7 as attractive, and 3 as moderately attractive. The very attractive communes include: Włodawa, Urszulin, Sosnowica, Uścimów, and Ludwin. Very attractive communes are distinguished by the highest degree of development of the holiday function. They show a varied degree of activity of the authorities - Włodawa (high activity), Sosnowica, Uścimów, Ludwin (moderate activity), and Urszulin (no activity). Very attractive communes show a varied degree of development of the tourist function. It is the basic function for Włodawa, supplementary function for Uścimów, and additional function for Sosnowica, Ludwin, and Urszulin. Conclusion. The organisation of tourism space in the łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland in the area of the Polesie National Park offers extensive possibilities of practicing various forms of tourism while maintaining the good condition of the environment.

WYBRANE ASPEKTY PRZESTRZENI TURYSTYCZNEJ LUBELSZCZYZNY (STUDIA PRZYPADKÓW)

Abstract The article presents the results of studies on the tourist space of the Lublin Region conducted so far by employees of the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. The studies, regarding the environmental and cultural tourist values, the level of management and transport accessibility, as well as selected elements of the tourism policy of the local authorities, permitted the determination of the tourist potential of spatial units (administrative and physicogeographical) with various importance and character. Areas with varied degrees of attractiveness were distinguished based on their tourist potential. Those classified as attractive and very attractive were described in detail in terms of: the degree of development of the tourist function, functional types of spatial units, perception of tourist space by users, and attitudes of the local community towards the development of tourism.

Selected Aspects of the Tourist Space of the Lublin Region (Case Study)

Abstract The article presents the results of studies on the tourist space of the Lublin Region conducted so far by employees of the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. The studies, regarding the environmental and cultural tourist values, the level of management and transport accessibility, as well as selected elements of the tourism policy of the local authorities, permitted the determination of the tourist potential of spatial units (administrative and physicogeographical) with various importance and character. Areas with varied degrees of attractiveness were distinguished based on their tourist potential. Those classified as attractive and very attractive were described in detail in terms of: the degree of development of the tourist function, functional types of spatial units, perception of tourist space by users, and attitudes of the local community towards the development of tourism.

Wybrane aspekty przestrzeni turystycznej Lubelszczyzny

Abstract The article presents the results of studies on the tourist space of the Lublin Region conducted so far by employees of the Department of Regional Geography and Tourism at the Faculty of Earth Sciences and Spatial Management of the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University. The studies, regarding the environmental and cultural tourist values, the level of management and transport accessibility, as well as selected elements of the tourism policy of the local authorities, permitted the determination of the tourist potential of spatial units (administrative and physicogeographical) with various importance and character. Areas with varied degrees of attractiveness were distinguished based on their tourist potential. Those classified as attractive and very attractive were described in detail in terms of: the degree of development of the tourist function, functional types of spatial units, perception of tourist space by users, and attitudes of the local community towards the development of tourism.