Transformation in the Tourist Services and their Impact on the Perception of Tourism by the Residents of Krakow (Poland)
Transformation in the Tourist Services and their Impact on the Perception of Tourism by the Residents of Krakow (Poland)

Summary/Abstract: Krakow is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central and Eastern Europe. It is found on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The aim of the study was to identify perceptions of growth in the tourism industry and attitudes towards tourist behaviour among Krakow residents. The survey study was carried out among city residents (677) and interviews with tourist service providers (50) were also performed. Both residents and service providers observed some positive and negative impacts of the tourism industry on the city’s overall development. The benefits include job creation, income growth, and general infrastructural development in the city. Some differences were noted in the way in which tourism affects certain social processes occurring in the city. In residents’ opinion intensive promotion of entertainment tourism in Krakow is conducive to the increase of undesirable behaviour of tourists (e.g. drunkenness, disturbances of public order, participation in sex tourism) Three categories of resident attitudes towards tourist behaviours were identified: disapproval resident attitudes towards negative tourist behaviours, indifferent resident attitudes towards negative tourist behaviours, positive resident attitudes towards negative tourist behaviours. This study covers both universal dysfunctions related to tourism and those specific to Krakow.

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