ORGANISATION OF TOURIST MOVEMENT IN THE CZECH SWITZERLAND NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Purpose. Assessment of the organisation of tourism movement in the Czech Switzerland National Park taking into account the extent of protection zones, distribution of main tourist attractions and functions of neighbouring tourist settlements. Method. The course of tourist trails and the degree of infrastructure along them were compared with the zoning of the national park. A typology of tourist settlements (both within the borders of the park and in its vicinity) was prepared, taking into account their accessibility, tourist infrastructure and effects on the tourist movement in the protected area. The educational offer of the park, accessibility to the entries of tourist trails by public transport and proposals for handicapped tourists were also analysed. Findings. The Czech Switzerland National Park was introduced in a developed tourist space. That is why the network of tourist trails and locally intensive tourist infrastructure does not fully correspond with the division into protection zones. Out of 166.4 km of hiking and cycling trails, as much as 32.7 km lead through the first, most valuable zone, which composes less than 25% of the total park area. One main and few secondary tourist distribution nodes were distinguished, as well as two types of local tourist villages. The studied area is well accessible, has a developed educational offer, however, the proposals for handicapped tourists are limited. Research and conclusion limitations. In the research, only one national park was examined, thus comparison with situations in other protected areas is advisable. Practical implications. Findings may be useful while planning tourist infrastructure in other protected areas, especially those newly introduced. Originality. In the work, a relatively new national park (established in 2000) was taken into account. It has not been examined more thoroughly in Polish scientific literature concerning tourism. Importance was attached to the zoning of the protected area. Type of paper. The article presents the results of empirical research.