The development of geocaching in the theory of a tourism area cycle of evolution by Butler

With improved economic standing of Polish society, growing salaries, increased average amount of leisure and technological advances tourism flows in Poland increase year by year. This is generated by both domestic travel and foreign arrivals. For about a decade the number of overnight stays provided to tourists, including those from foreign countries, have increased. Today tourism is among most rapidly developing and complex areas of social life. Tourism development has a series of consequences, both positive and negative. In order to remain competitive, tourist area requires proper management. This can be achieved by, among other things, implementing corrective action in response to the ever changing external and internal conditions. These may impact tourism intensity and quality and thereby tourism area lifecycle. The present paper attempted to differentiate geocaching stages of development in Poland based on the concept of tourism area lifecycle by Butler. Problem identification and recommendations for further actions aiming to cease or restore tourism functions were also at the basis for considerations. Individual stages of development were discussed based on two major geocaching websites in Poland. References were also made to worldwide trends and interests

Traffic-related noise pollution in the town of Szczecinek (Poland)

Increased intensity of automotive traffic has a negative impact on the human body, and on the safety and comfort of living. The hazards of transportation are primarily associated with road accidents, air pollution, noise and transport blockages. The present study includes a temporal and spatial analysis of the intensity of traffic-related noise in the summer season of 2015 in the tourist part of the town of Szczecinek. In addition, it includes a comparative analysis of the noise levels and traffic volumes in Szczecinek against the background of the village of Iwin. Assessment of noise pollution was carried out at a total of 37 different sites, both on working days and at weekends. A spatial image of noise intensity in the central part of Szczecinek was obtained, and sites with excessive levels of traffic noise were flagged. These locations are particularly burdensome to residents and cause a decrease in the tourist value of the city. Our tests confirmed the advisability of building a beltway for Szczecinek

Impact of Uzdrowisko Uniejów Park (Health Resort Uniejów Park) on tourism in the neighbouring municipalities

Health tourism is part of the tourism market. To ensure proper functioning of a health resort, competition on the market of tourism services is a necessary prerequisite. In its developmental stage, a health resort has a limited impact on tourism functions in the region. In view of considerable differences in values referring to tourism intensity and tourist accommodation, the authors attempted to evaluate the impact of the health resort Uniejów on tourism development in the region. For the purpose of the present paper, the potential for economic activity was assessed based on the economic burden index, unemployment rate, persons employed, natural persons conducting business activity and tourism function index by Baretje, Schneider and Charvat, surveys and the analysis of tourists’ place of origin. Tourist accommodation of the study area is significantly imbalanced. The tourist and social potential of the Poddębice county remains uneven, highly polarized, with Uniejów municipality holding a dominant position. Tourism attracts private investors to Uniejów and adds up to a counter-productive dispersion of tourism destination

The surface water quality ecotoxicological assessment of Wolin Island

Determining the quality of surface waters is very important from human health point of view. Proper recognition of the ecological condition of surface waters allows to take appropriate actions to improve it. This paper presents the results of physico-chemical analyses and toxicological studies of surface waters of Wolin Island. The toxicity of the samples was determined by the acute toxicity test Thamnotoxkit F. based on freshwater crustaceans Thamnocephalus platyurus. The results enabled to assess the ecological state of the examined waters

The secret tourism in the 21st century - a decade of geocaching in Poland

People travel from the beginning of existence in search of hunting grounds, fresh water, shelter or wealth. The beginnings of tourism and travel for pleasure fall on the nineteenth century. Safari trips, conquering mountain peaks, transatlantic cruises and trips to health resorts are the beginning of tourism. In the twentieth century the decrease of the costs of car, rail and air travel intensified tourism phenomenon (mainly by the availability to the less well-off people). The concept of tourism in the twenty-first century took on a new meaning. Today there are many different activities that focus on experiencing particular sensation or impression. Surprising forms of tourism in the future will continue to surprise. New trends become more and more popular. All kinds of tourism: extreme (including adventure racing, ski-mountaineering, caving) thematic (eg. cemetery, wine, culinary tourism) and religious are based on the need of stimulation. The specific form of tourism is geocaching, which is a mobile game based on GPS location and which consists of hiding and finding containers placed anywhere. Participants create a geographically dispersed community that contact mainly via mobile technologies and Web 2.0. They spend time outdoors in search for the treasure. In geocaching it is primarily important to find containers, but also the new ways of hiding them, sharing experience and perception of the environment are promoted. Due to the nature of this form of tourism (including leaving the containers for the next treasure seekers) the participants are trying to keep their way of exploring in secret. Wishing to recognize the reasons for choosing this form of tourism and to know the profiles of geocechers, a survey of 743 users of two most popular geocaching portals in Poland was conducte

Zmienność przestrzenna powierzchniowych osadów plażowych brzegu morskiego wyspy Wolin

The conducted morpholithological studies of beach deposits make it possible to determine the current morphodynamics of the coast of the Wolin Island. By comparing the average value of grains composing sediments of individual zones of the beach it can be stated that the highest energy is represented by the following: beach below the water line and then beach at the water line, beach in its central part and beach at the foot of the cliff/dune. The standard deviation of sediments indicates the lowest energy diversification at the beach within its central part and at the foot of the cliff/dune, and the highest – in the zone below the water line. Further enrichment of sediments in thicker material and elimination of finer fraction occur on the beach below the water line indicating selective elution and redisposition of the material and predominance of speeds which do not allow for the precipitation of finer sediment. Saltation is the major transportation factor within the whole beach zone. Analyzing the dynamics of the sedimentary environment on the basis of the C/M diagram, it was found that the beach below the water line is mainly composed of deposits formed under the conditions of high dynamic activity which is favourable to precipitation. While the beach above the water line is constructed of material made in turbulent environment, mainly due to rolling and saltation