Discussion Papers 2009.
Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins 89-97. p.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOURIST SPACE
IN THE POLISH BORDERLANDS
MAREK WIĘCKOWSKI

The geopolitical and socio-economic changes in East-Central Europe that have
been started at the beginning of the 1990s have brought about a radical change in
the function of boundaries, the status of border zones and the character of cross-
border relationships. One of the most visible kinds of human activity in the bor-
derlands is the appearance of the rapid development of tourism. The main effect of
these changes was the increase of tourist flows.
Tourism has become a highly significant growth industry in all border zones in
Poland. This sector of the economy is fully involved in the integration with the
European economic space. In the first stage, it has become a side effect in the
boom of business activities, as the main foreigner arrivals purpose was business
and shopping. In the late stages, the variations of flows of visitors and tourists are
relevant to the political and legal effects of the European integration. Tourism is
fully involved in the integration of Poland into the European space, but in a spe-
cific way. Indeed, besides tourists, many more visitors from abroad are persons
whose purpose is to do business. The tourist space of Poland is essentially coastal,
mountainous, urban and border.
The increase of border movement
Along with the political, economic and social transition which occurred in Poland
after 1989, the mechanisms and patterns of mobility including migration and tour-
ism have radically changed. Border movement plays a very important role for bor-
ders areas. The cross-border petty trading and shopping was largely represented in
the 90’s. At the beginning of the XXI century, the significance of this type of mo-
bility has been reduced. Actually, the two other types of international mobility:
international tourism and labour migration play this very important role
(Więckowski, 2008).
The border region has been characterised by the remarkable dynamics of peo-
ples’ mobility in the recent decades. The growth of number of people’s crossing all
Polish borders between 1990 and 2000 amounts to more than tenfold. After 2000

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
MAREK
90
WIĘCKOWSKI
the number of visitors grew less, and after that the situation has been normalized
with a little growth each year. In 2008, more than 110 million people have been
crossing the Polish borders in both directions. The number of foreigners coming to
Poland was about 60 million in 2008. In the same year, the number of Poles cross-
ing the border increased to 50 million. The large majority of this number is just
one-day visitors in the neighboring countries. The number of tourist trips with a
minimum one night spent abroad is about 7 million.
Figure 1
The number of Polish border crossings by year, 1985–2008 (million)
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Departures of Poles
Arrivals of foreigners

Source: Border Guard.
The relationships between borders and tourism
Matznetter (1979) highlighted some of the connections between boundaries and
tourism, and suggested a three-fold typology of spatial relationships between the
two: where the boundary line is distant from tourist areas, where a tourist zone
exists adjacent to the boundary on only one side, and tourist zones that extend
across, or meet at the borders (Matznetter, 1979).
International boundaries may have significant implications for tourism, espe-
cially in terms of planning, promotion, and taxation. The borders influence tourism
in many other ways (Timothy, 2002). The flow of tourists, their choice of destina-
tions, the planning and physical development of tourism, and the types and extent
of marketing campaigns are all affected by the nature of political boundaries. The

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOURIST SPACE IN THE POLISH BORDERLANDS
91
borders delineate an abrupt change in language, religion, political attitudes, cultural
traditions and social mores. National holidays on either side of a border are obvi-
ously different and business hour may vary. Various scales, or levels, of boundaries
exist, and each of them has its own purpose. National boundaries have the most
obvious impact on the natural environment, economic operations and patterns of
socio-cultural interaction.
Border regions are „areas whose economic and social life is directly and signifi-
cantly affected by proximity to an international boundary” (Hansen, 1981), and
have a great potential for development of tourism. According to many studies
tourism is very good developing in border areas (e.g. Matznetter, 1979; Arreola
and Curtis, 1989; Essex and Gibb, 1989; Galluser, 1994; Timothy, 2002,
Więckowski, 2002, Więckowski, 2007).
Borders related policies, differences in administrative structures on opposite
sides, and the physical barrier created by borders can affect many aspects of tour-
ism, including travel motivations and decision-making, infrastructural develop-
ment, marketing and promotion as well as place image. One of the most ubiquitous
forms of borderlands tourism is cross-border shopping (in Poland especially: gro-
cery, outlet, alimentary products and variety stores).
Tourism space in borderland
Borders have a strong effect on tourism. In many areas we can observe contrasting
development on two sides of a border. Borders influence the spatial development
of tourism. Additionally, tourism also has strong effects on the border landscape.
First of all, contrasting development on two sides of a border can be created by
different histories, different settlement patterns and urban structures, and socio-
economic differences. Borders and the socio-political systems they enclose create
contrasts in spatial and administrative patterns on opposite sides, differences in
tourism patterns and landscapes across boundaries.
Differences in tourism patterns and landscapes across boundaries are often visi-
ble. In some places, tourism is heavily developed spatially adjacent to a border on
one side but not on the other. The eastern borderlands of Poland and neighbouring
countries are characterised by a weak tradition in tourism and a lack of regional
„identity” as a tourist destination. The development of the new tourist space and
infrastructure is possible thanks to the European funds and is observed mainly on
the Polish side. There are many tourist routes – even nowadays – ending at the
border, where, therefore, the possibility of getting acquainted with the territory of
the neighbouring country terminated.
Tourism infrastructure does not exist on the Russian side. The existence of spe-
cial permissions in the border zone is one of the most important problems for the

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
MAREK
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WIĘCKOWSKI
development of tourism. In the Kaliningrad Oblast, there exists a forbidden zone
for people. In Vistula Spit, the forbidden zone extends 7 km from the border, while
near the Russian-Lithuanian border it extends 13 km.
In the Polish borderland, especially in the eastern and western border zone, the
service of border traffic as a primary function in endogenous development encom-
passes relatively small areas isolated from each other and widely dispersed along
the border and in the immediate vicinity of the crossings thereof (see table 1). On
the Polish-German border, contrasting development on two sides is also visible
Table 1
Opportunities, barriers and threats in tourist infrastructure
on the Polish-German borderland

Opportunities
Barriers and threats
Tourist infra-
  Developing supply and demand for    Low-standard accommodation base
structure centres
domestic and foreign tourist ser-
and supporting infrastructure
and development
vices
  Difficulties with returning to a tradi-
  Outstanding natural and cultural
tion in tourism and region’s lack of
features plus attractive landscape as
”identity” among potential clients
a foundation for the further devel-
  Possible downgrading of some bor-
opment of tourism
der areas to service transit traffic
  Particularly valuable features for
only
waterborne tourism (inland and sea)   Short season and overburdening of
  Special conditions for health and
some centres
spa-based tourism
  ”Takeover” of potential clients for
  Increased interest in buying land
borderland tourist services by more
and second homes
efficient and better-organised agen-
cies on German side
  Competition from alternative tourist
areas close to borderland area
  Inadequacy of pricing in relation to
quality of services offered
  Inadequacy of marketing of tourist
centers and regions
   Poor accessibility
Source: Węcławowicz, G. – Degórski, M. – Komornicki, T. – Korzeń, Ja. – Bański, J. – Korzeń, Ju. –
Soja, R. – Śleszyński, P. – Więckowski, M. 2006.
In the comparison of the two sides of borderlands, the Polish side will be
characterised by:
  low standard of accommodation base and support infrastructure and its strong
concentration

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOURIST SPACE IN THE POLISH BORDERLANDS
93
  inadequacy of pricing in relation to the quality of services offered
  inadequacy of marketing of tourist centres and regions
On the German side, the tourism space can be characterised by:
  high standard of accommodation base, high prices and relatively regular spa-
tial distribution of tourist infrastructure
  higher level of investments in the tourism sector
  more efficient and better-organized tourist agencies
  very good accessibility
Borders and the spatial development of tourism
Borders determine the nature of the tourist landscape and its elements that will
develop in frontier regions. Borders can be viewed as: barriers, destinations and
transit zones. Borders have a strong effect on tourism. Tourism can in many in-
stances, help to create and alter the border landscape.
International boundaries can be viewed as barriers to travel from at least two
perspectives: real and perceived. Many governments have established travel re-
strictions on their own citizens for a variety of reasons.
Border-related policies, differences in administrative structures on opposite
sides, and the physical barriers created by borders can affect many aspects of tour-
ism, including:
  travel motivations and decision making,
  infrastructure development,
  marketing and promotion,
  place image.
Borders are spatial barriers before the development of the transport network.
Their impact as barriers to transport depends on the degree of formalisation and
permeability. The action of boundary as a spatial barrier is most often expressed
through institutions. The gradual reduction of frontier as a spatial barriers is envis-
aged, progressing along with spatial integration processes.
The type of border has an important influence on the development of tourism.
The external borders of the EU with Russian Federation, Belarus and Ukraine ap-
pear as barriers to free travel. The Polish borders with Germany, the Czech Repub-
lic, Slovakia and Lithuania after Poland’s accession to the European Union and to
the Schengen Zone are changing their status, and come into existence as the fully
open border. The frontiers of national parks appear as unique barriers to travel
freely in borderlands.

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
MAREK
94
WIĘCKOWSKI
Border crossing points are magnets for the development of tourism, especially
in the border towns. One of the most ubiquitous forms of borderlands tourism is
cross-border shopping.
The Polish-German border is simultaneously the zone of destination (especially
for Germans) and the transit zone for others.
The Carpathian Mts., both in Poland and in Slovakia, constitute one of the most
important tourist regions of the two countries. Over the decades the Polish and
Slovak parts were being developed and used separately. There are many tourist
routes – even nowadays – ending at the border, where, therefore, the possibility of
getting acquainted with the territory of the neighbouring country terminates (The
same situation exists on Polish–Czech borderlands). Tourist attractions on the bor-
der e.g. Dunajec Gorge and mountain ranges can better prosper thanks to the syn-
ergy effect.
Borders have a stronger effect on tourism, tourism can, and does in many in-
stances, help to create and alter the border landscape. Borders determine the nature
of the tourist landscape and its elements that will develop in frontier regions.
The main tourist destinations in the borderlands are border national parks. In
many regions, tourists and hosts are often concentrated in areas commonly known
as tourist districts, where the infrastructure, services, and other physical character-
istics have developed largely as a result of tourism. The borderland areas present an
ideal location for protected areas and tourism development. In most cases the bor-
der national parks constitute very important tourist regions. In Central and Eastern
Europe many of the national parks are in a privileged situation near the state bor-
ders (Denisiuk et al, 1997). Nine from all 23 Polish national parks are adjacent to
the state border. Three additional ones are situated near the border. Five parks from
this number constitute international parks situated on both sides of the border
(Karkonoski NP, Tatra NP, Bieszczadki NP, Pieniński NP, Bialowieski NP). In
Poland more than 8 million people visit nine national parks adjacent to interna-
tional borders each year (70% of the tourist flow in all national parks in the coun-
try). Poland’s number one natural attraction – the Tatra National Park – receives
around 3 million visitors a year. The National Park in the Karkonosze Mts. receives
2 million visitors a year. The Pieniny National Park make a destination for 800
thousand tourists (Więckowski, 2008).

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
MAREK
96
WIĘCKOWSKI
The prospect of Poland joining the Schengen Agreement determines the potential
spatial effects of the changes in the magnitude of movement on the border inside of
the European Union. Joining the agreement will signify that all border checkpoints
are closed down, as well as allowing for the possibility of crossing the border in
any place. On borders, many old check-points exist, most of them useless. Only
some of them have been turned into tourist centres or information points, retail
outlets trading with regional products or restaurants, especially in the national
parks.
The increase in movement may require the further development of trans-bound-
ary transport infrastructure (also for pedestrians and cyclists). The cessation of
passport control will have specific effects on the labour market, parallel to those
generated by the removal of customs clearance in 2004. This may lead to growth in
economic activity in the areas immediately adjacent to the border as a result of the
disappearance of restrictions as well as psychological barriers.
The external borders of the European Union with the Russian Federation, Bela-
rus and Ukraine appear as barriers to free travel and the development of tourism
purposes. These borders will probably remain a marginal tourist destination, ex-
cepting some cases.
Summary
The paper presents selected problems of the development of tourist space in Polish
borderlands. International boundaries may have significant implications for tour-
ism, especially in terms of planning, promotion, and taxation. The borders influ-
ence tourism in many more ways. The flow of tourists, their choice of destinations,
planning and physical development of tourism, and the types and extent of mar-
keting campaigns are all affected by the nature of political boundaries.
First of all the borders constitute spatial barriers for tourism development. Their
impact as barriers for tourism depends on the degree of formalisation and perme-
ability. The action of boundary as a spatial barrier is most often expressed through
institutions. The gradual reduction of the frontier as a spatial barrier is envisaged,
progressing along with spatial integration processes.
Borders can be main tourist destinations, thanks to cross–border shopping, spe-
cialised services, welcome centres, health tourism and transit zones. The border-
land areas are ideal locations for tourism development. In most cases the border-
lands constitute very important tourist regions. They are attractive areas in terms of
nature, landscape and tourism, owing to which anthropogenic pressure is amplified
along with the tourist traffic, while on the other hand, there exists a strongly devel-
oped need for the protection of these areas. As a matter of fact, nine of Poland’s
national parks are situated along national boundaries. Two additional parks are

Marek Wieckowski : Development of the New Tourist Space in the Polish Borderlands.
In: Old and New Borderlines /Frontiers/ Margins.
Pécs: Centre for Regional Studies, 2009. 89-97. p. Discussion Papers, Special
DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOURIST SPACE IN THE POLISH BORDERLANDS
97
adjacent to the sea frontier, and three are situated near the border. To demonstrate
the scale of tourism in national parks in borderlands, this article shows and explains
the number of visitors in these areas. More than 8 million people visit twelve na-
tional parks adjacent to the international borders each year (70% of the tourist flow
in all national parks in Poland).
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