FOREIGN TOURISTS IN THE PROVINCE OF WESTERN POMERANIA IN 2006-2016

Abstract

Purpose. To assess the number, structure, seasonality and duration of foreign tourists’ visits to the Province of Western Pomerania in 2006-2016 as well as to identify preferred destinations in the Province. Methods. The research was based on monthly and annual data on foreign tourists’ visits and overnight stays in Western Pomerania counties in 2006-2016. The data supplied by the Statistical Office in Szczecin were used to model: the temporal (by month) and spatial (by country) distribution of the number of foreign tourists in the Province, the variability and seasonality of the tourism flow, and the mean duration of stay at accommodation facilities. Statistical data from counties situated in Lakeland areas were used to assess the numbers of foreign tourists visiting Western Pomeranian Lakelands. Results. The analysis showed positive, highly significant linear trends in the number of foreign tourists’ visits to the Province (R²=0.7369) and in overnight stays (R²=0.8309) over the analysed period (2006-2016). Foreign tourists accounted for 23.6% of all the tourists visiting Western Pomerania; they stayed for an average of 5.0-5.5 days depending on the year, no distinct trend in the duration of stay being visible. Seasonality in the foreign tourists’ visits, as expressed by the ratio between the number of tourists in summer (June-August) and winter (December-February) and averaging 2.4, was almost two times lower than that of Polish tourists, an effect resulting from a fairly uniform distribution of visits for recreation and medical treatment throughout the year. The coefficient of variation (CV) was found to range from 15.7% in June to 26.7% in February. Due to weather conditions, 37.1% of the annual number of foreign tourists (mainly from Germany) come in summer months (June-August). The preferred destination of foreign tourists in the Province of Western Pomerania is the Baltic Sea coast (63.6% of all visits); the city of Szczecin attracts 30.1% of all the foreign tourists, whereas Western Pomeranian Lakelands are visited by as few as 3.2%. A similar percentage (3.1%) visit the seven remaining counties. Tourists stay the longest (7.1 days on average) at the seaside, the shortest visits (1.9 day) occurring in Szczecin and Koszalin. Research and conclusions limitations. A more detailed assessment of the temporal and spatial distribution of foreign tourists’ visits in the Province is hampered by incomplete reports on tourism flow in numerous municipalities. Compared to the Baltic Sea, more beneficial thermal conditions in lakes (water temperature higher by 2Cº- 4 Cº) and a longer (by 2-3 weeks) bathing season should be taken advantage of by regional and local authorities and tourist organisations to promote foreign tourists visits to and stays in the Lakeland areas. Originality. Local authorities and tourist organisations should monitor and analyse the increase in the number of foreign tourists’ visits from year to year, and should pay attention to the highly uneven spatial distribution of foreign tourists’ visits. Practical implication. The results obtained should help local governments and tourist organisations to improve services used by foreigners in the province. Type of work. Results of empirical studies are presented.