A Shared Vision? Stakeholders' perspectives on the cultural tourism development in the Valley of Palaces and Gardens, Poland
Malgorzata PSTROCKA-RAK, University of Wroclaw / Institute of Geography and Regional Development , Poland
Sylwia DOLZBLASZ, University of Wroclaw / Institute of Geography and Regional Development , Poland
Anna GROCHOWSKA, University of Wroclaw / Institute of Geography and Regional Development , Poland
Cultural tourism is often seen as an effective way to solve socio-economic problems in peripheral areas. However, the degree and sustainability of cultural tourism development depend on many factors, including, among others, the joint commitment of various local and regional stakeholders. The study area, which is the most important part of the Valley of Palaces and Gardens, is located in a border region in southwestern Poland. This area may be characterized as a peripheral region in terms of both its geographical location in the country and its economic significance. The potential for the development and improvement of their economy could be cultural tourism based on the local multicultural heritage.
The main objective of the research was to determine the role of key stakeholders in the field of cultural tourism in the studied area in the context of their mutual cooperation and the creation of a common and coherent vision of its development. A total of 10 major actors of importance to the development of cultural tourism in the Valley of Palaces and Gardens agreed to participate in the research, which was conducted between July and September 2021. The main research technique used was an individual in-depth interview.
The interviewed stakeholders represent different sectors: private, social, and public or mixed, functioning on two spatial levels: regional and local. Their involvement in the development of cultural tourism is very diverse, as well as the level of their cooperation. Both vertical and horizontal cooperation between key players is generally not intensive. One of the reasons is the lack of a common and coherent vision of tourism development in the studied area, indicated by almost all of the respondents.
The analysis of the extensive statements of the key actors for the development of cultural tourism in the Polish Loire Valley also allowed for the mapping governance networks, which may be valuable comparative material for other peripheral regions.
Mots clés : cultural tourism|stakeholders|cooperation|peripheral area|Poland
A103949MP