Tourism development in the Visegrad Four countries in the period of the EU access
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Trvalý odkaz
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11956/161239Identifikátory
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- GEOBIBLINE - plné texty [10555]
The article presents a comparative study which reveals common features of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia in tourism history and general potential. There is a lack of studies specialized in the Visegrad Four countries tourism and specialized literature is still very limited. The study is based on theoretical approaches to development of countries in post-totalitarian (post-communist) period in the context of globalization process. Empiric part explains a broad range of statistical data available mostly from national statistical offices and tourism promotion authorities. Most of the data have been expressed in per capita terms. Development after 1989 is divided into three periods characterized by different trends in incoming visitors, tourist and, economic effects from receipts. The dynamic boom Is discussed for the last period after 2002 mostly. Nationality structure of tourists is subject of a comparison. Extreme concentration and centralization, especially to national metropolises, is a challenge for future regional development of domestic and foreign tourism. General tourist image of the Visegrad Four countries is assessed in detailed SWOT analyses. The opportunities and threats indicate perspectives on the use of advantages associated with the EU access. Effects of EU membership are discussed focusing basic conceptions and development documents at national and supranational levels. The conclusions consider the statement that it is very difficult to distinguish the effects of joining the EU from the effects of other factors that are contributing to the world tourism development. A boom of EU economy has been reflected also in the tourism sector, due to a better image of the newly accessed countries which gain experience and know-how from the EU systematic approach to funding. Financial subsidies from the EU structural funds started to be effective in development of infrastructure