Ski and spa tourism as local development strategy – the case of Krynica Zdrój (Poland)

Abstract

The socio-economic, cultural and technological transformations, characteristic features of the globalization era, result in altering the ways in which tourist and recreational services are rendered, leading to the formation of the so-called mega-tourism trends. At present, tourism has become one of the fastest developing economic branches in many countries around the world. This dynamic development includes, among others, SPA and wellness and outdoor physical activity sectors. Slowly giving up their therapeutic functions, spa resorts aspire to expand their tourist and recreational infrastructure through the organization of ski lifts and slopes and development of other sport facilities. The intention behind this study is to analyze the theoretical assumptions pertaining to health tourism and active recreation in Poland, where the potential of such economic activities is still not fully used. The impact of natural factors on the development of health and mountain tourism and accompanying activities was presented on the basis of Krynica Zdrój located in the Małopolska province. Having reviewed the local development strategy, the impact of tourism on the activization of the city and region economics was determined.