| Title |
Problemy i wyzwania uruchamiania ruchu turystycznego w Polsce międzywojennej na przykładzie województw wileńskiego i nowogródzkiego |
| Translation of Title |
Problems and challenges in restoring tourism in interwar Poland: the cases of the Vilnius and Novograd provinces. |
| Authors |
Merta-Staszczak, Adriana ; Streikus, Arūnas |
| DOI |
10.15290/oes.2026.02.124.18 |
| Full Text |
|
| Is Part of |
Optimum: Economic studies = Optimum. Studia Ekonomiczne.. Białystok : Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku. 2026, Nr. 2(124), p. 358-373.. ISSN 1506-7637 |
| Keywords [eng] |
interwar tourism ; Second Polish Republic ; Vilnius and Nowogródek voivodeships ; transport infrastructure ; modernization policy ; regional promotion ; Polish State Railways |
| Abstract [eng] |
Purpose | Using the example of the Vilnius and Nowogródek voivodeships, the article identifies key barriers to the development of tourism in interwar Poland and assesses the effectiveness of the activities of the state administration and local structures. The article compares the sightseeing and cultural potential of the Vilnius and Nowogródek voivodeships with the possibilities of making it accessible in conditions of underinvestment in infrastructure. It also indicates the promotional tools used, such as publications, events and railway discounts, and their importance for creating a sustainable basis for tourism. Research method | The study was based on archival materials from the Lithuanian Cen tral State Archives (Lietuvos Centrinis Valstybės Archyvas, LCVA) and the interwar press. These sources were analysed to provide descriptions of everyday barriers, modernisation discourse and promotional practices. Statistical data on transport infrastructure and accommodation facilities were also employed to highlight regional disparities. The study as a whole constitutes a qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of the limitations of tourism development in the eastern regions of the Second Polish Republic. Results | The development of tourism in the Vilnius and Nowogródek voivodeships during the interwar period was primarily hindered by infrastructure issues, particularly the underdeveloped road network. Other issues included a shortage of accommodation and catering facilities, as well as a lack of qualified guides, both of which reinforced the niche and seasonal nature of tourism. Although administrative and promotional activities were extensive, their impact was undermined by the discrepancy between the attractions’ potential and their capacity to accommodate tourists, as well as the provincial administration’s limited resources. Consequently, tourism in the Vilnius and Nowogródek voivodeships developed more slowly than in the western and southern parts of the country, despite their significant cultural and landscape attractions. Originality / value / implications / recommendations | The results are the product of combining the tourism policy of the Second Polish Republic with an analysis of organisational practices at the micro-regional level. By compiling archives, press reports and statistics, we can identify the mechanism of developmental asymmetry: promotional and tariff instruments were ineffective without investment in transport and services, and strengthening cooperation between the administration, local government and local entities was crucial. |
| Published |
Białystok : Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku |
| Type |
Journal article |
| Language |
Polish |
| Publication date |
2026 |
| CC license |
|
