Agricultural and tourist functions in rural areas and the level of local development : the case of Poland

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this article is to measure the diversity of rural areas through determining their potential for implementing the agricultural and tourist functions. This in terms of local development level of rural areas in Poland as illustrated by the Greater Poland Voivodeship. Approach/Methodology/Design: The research procedure was conducted in three steps. In the first step, the agricultural and tourist functions were measured, and the relationship between them was identified. In a subsequent step, the social and economic development level of rural areas was identified. The last step involved defining the relationship between the potential of the analysed functions and local development level of the rural areas. Findings: There is a relationship between the agricultural function and the tourist function in the analysed area. This relationship is statistically significant and negatively correlated, which means that the tourism potential of the area decreases as its potential for agricultural development increases. Practical Implications: The result confirms that it is legitimate and necessary to implement development-related tasks which include a territorial approach that refers to all local potentials. Originality/Value: Noticing this fact and taking it into account during the process of programming of local development seems to be of crucial importance for the success of the process of sustainable development of rural areas.