Assessment of the tourist attractiveness of forests in Ciezkowice commune - a case study

Tourist attractiveness is determined by tourist values (natural and anthropogenic), technical infrastructure and cultural resources. Tourist values are elements of the environment or specific manifestations of business attracting tourists. Identification and assessment of natural resources should be included in the ecosystem services strategy. Tourism development is an important element of the policy implemented by regional and local authorities. The aim of the study is to evaluate the value of forests together with tourist infrastructure on the example of the Ciezko-wice commune (S Poland). The field research included inventory of forest as well as tourist infrastructure in the commune and was carried out on 70 study plots (forests) in Ciezkowice commune. The forest evaluation included 11 assessment criteria for example visual attractiveness of forest, forest resistance to tourist use, health values for the forest user, or species richness. Analysed forests characterised with high tourist attractiveness values (54 plots out of 70). We also distinguished 5 forests with very high tourist attractiveness values and 11 ones with medium values. Most studied forests are attractive for tourist purposes and they can be included in the tourist traffic through the implementation of recreational, health, qualified or religious tourism. Generally analysed forests are suitable for direct tourist use. The limitations were observed in a few forest areas, mainly due to the low resistance of the undergrowth layer to trampling. Formulated directions should be considered for implementation by the local commune. They include monitoring which could help in checking the existing state of natural values of forests and in indicating whether the tourist activity of users does not significantly affect the degradation of forest ecosystems. If the tourist pressure were too high, it should be considered by implementing other solutions related to tourist traffic.