Tourism research and education in Poland : History and contemporary issues

Abstract

The article identifies socio-economic changes in Poland after 1989 and their influence on the improvement of macroeconomic indicators and competitiveness. It also evaluates the impact of macroeconomic effects on the tourism market in Poland. Against this background the author considers the relationship between scientific research and tourism education arguing that quantitative changes in the development of tourism higher education have not resulted in the increase in both quantity and quality of research in the field. The article identifies drivers of tourism research that have expanded knowledge and were of practical use. The issues discussed include statistical capture and analysis of tourism-related phenomena, regional studies on sustainable development and the tourism function of regions as well as microeconomic problems such as quality of services, innovativeness and entrepreneurship. Examples are given of the use of research findings in didactic processes. Finally the article presents a review of research collaboration and student exchange programmes.(original abstract)