Abstract
Against a rapid and frequently unsustainable development of tourism in Poland, this article aims to recognize the investment attractiveness for tourism in Poland and its spatial diversity in the context of relieving the effects of overtourism. In the first stage, a multi-dimensional indicator model was developed, and then it was used to assess the attractiveness level of cities and rural, urban and urban-rural municipalities in Poland. The results of the study were the basis of the analysis of the attractiveness of cities in relation to their size, location in the tourist region and various forms of tourism. From a theoretical standpoint, the study shows that there is a clear-cut need to redirect tourism investments from the centres to more distinct locations in order to achieve more sustainable development of tourism. Furthermore, it was found, that the main factors that determine the tourism attractiveness of cities are market potential, cultural values, social infrastructure, and in some cases, natural values. The tourist potential of cities and rural areas allows for spatial dispersion of investments and counteracting the concentration of phenomena related to overtourism. The analysis was carried out for 2478 municipalities in Poland. The sums of zero unitarization method was used to assess the level of investment attractiveness.
Highlights
Tourism boosts local development in many locations
The level of investment attractiveness and its profile according to previously defined administrative areas were discussed
The combination of two indicators of investment attractiveness and the level of real tourism investments was the basis for determining investment gaps
Summary
Tourism boosts local development in many locations. Beautiful tourist centres of cities and their districts attract tourists, which is why they are responsible for new investments, development of entrepreneurship, creation of new jobs and generation of income. The World Tourism Organization predicts that by 2030, the number of tourist trips in the world will increase to 1.8 billion [1] With such a large increase in demand, at the same time, a significant increase in investment is forecast in order to provide accommodation, transport and other services related to tourism and infrastructure necessary to meet expected demand, simultaneously increasing economic, social and environmental results [4]. The literature lists two mechanisms of arising conflicts, which are caused by cultural differences, especially the mass tourist traffic and negative behavior of tourists [5,6] This is related, among others, to the feeling of excessive overpopulation and discomfort among the local population and tourists. The development of tourism should be more balanced, well-thought-out and corrected in order to obtain the effects of balance of the natural and economic environment and care for the quality of life of local residents
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