Streszczenie: W artykule przedstawiono wyniki analizy dotyczącej możliwości skutecznego zarządzania regionami turystycznymi na konkurencyjnym rynku, opartej na funkcjonowaniu regionalnych organizacji turystycznych (ROT) w Polsce, w kilku ujęciach modelowych, a także skutków proponowanych przekształceń w ROT i ich wpływu na rozwój ruchu turystycznego w obszarach recepcji turystycznej. W przeglądzie literatury wskazano na rozbieżności poglądów na temat celowości i kierunków modyfikacji systemu POT-ROT-LOT 1 . Na podstawie idei konsorcjów produktowych i klastrów, DMO (Destination Managment Organization) i współpracy sieciowej zaproponowano trzy modele działania ROT, wskazując na kluczowe cechy pozwalające na wdrożenie tych modeli do praktyki organizacyjnej. W konsekwencji służą one wzrostowi skuteczności działania organizacji, implikując zmiany w logistyce i jakości obsługi ruchu turystycznego w regionach turystycznych.

Abstract The purpose of the present paper is to attempt to identify relations between the changing perception of leisure and the creation of tourism and recreational spaces in urban areas. The authors focus in particular on changes associated with the so-called ‘third wave’ (Toffler 2001), time compression (Niezgoda 2017), and departure from synchronization. These considerations are illustrated by an analysis of the recreational activity of Szczecin residents and of tourists, and attempt identifying the relations between recreational space and tourism space. With the constant compression of leisure time, tourism activities become more similar to the leisure activities of residents, which means both types occur in the same environment. Urban recreational and tourism spaces overlap in a way that makes it impossible to separate them, but still allows the distinction of certain sub-spaces where either tourism or recreational behavior prevails.

Purpose -the aim of the paper is to point out the possibilities for creating space that is attractive for tourists using environmental resources, while respecting the rules of sustainable development. Design -the research example is the commune of Stepnica, situated by the Szczecin Lagoon (Poland). It has been indicated how useful is the natural environment in creating tourist space, and how it can be used to build tourist products Methodology -The "desk research" method was used to an analysis of the current level of tourism development. On the grounds of the PAPI method were presented the activities in the interest of developing sustainable forms of tourism in the commune of Stepnica. Information were collected by using available secondary data, and through a questionnaire addressed to commune's government, a local tourist organization and the residents. Approach -Achieving balance between the environment, tourists, the local community and service providers is only possible when the active subjects of this arrangement (meaning all except the environment) are willing to agree to impose restrictions on themselves, without which reaching a compromise is impossible. It is one of the main challenges for sustainable tourism, since it takes a high level of ecological knowledge and the awareness of long-term consequences of one's actions to agree to such restrictions. Findings -The conducted research prove that existing natural resources can be used to create an attractive, and sometimes unique, tourist space. Using natural elements to develop varied forms of niche tourism can be a basis for sustainable tourism development and supplement (or balance out) mass tourism. Originality of the research -Findings should be useful for local authorities to indicate opportunities for using the knowledge, awareness and involvement of the local community to overcome the obstacles in the way of sustainable tourism development.

Stale zwiększająca się liczba osób uczestniczących w wyjazdach turystycznych sprawia, że wiele regionów stara się wykorzystać swój potencjał dla rozwoju atrakcji przyciągających turystów. W konkurencji pomiędzy regionami coraz większe znaczenie ma wykorzystanie instrumentów marketingu terytorialnego. Jednym z nich jest kreowanie markowych produktów turystycznych, których finansowanie często przekracza możliwości regionów. Szansą staje więc skuteczne zagospodarowanie środków UE. Celem opracowania jest analiza wsparcia finansowego dla markowych produktów turystycznych z funduszy europejskich (RPO) w województwie zachodniopomorskim w latach 2007–2013.

External borders of the European Union (EU) constitute a significant spatial and formal legal barrier for mutual relations. The key role in overcoming this barrier is played by cross‐border cooperation implemented by subnational units. The objective of this article is to identify key conditions for the cross‐border cooperation on the Polish–Belarusian border, constituting the external border of the EU. An additional objective is to develop a concept of institutionalization of the cross‐border cooperation, and to point to the possibilities of its implementation in the area of the Polish–Belarusian Euroregion Przybuże. This objective has been implemented by means of the triangulation method with the application of interrelated research techniques such as focus group interview, moderated workshop, surveys and desk research. The research discovered long‐term, intense cross‐border relations existing in the said region. The leaders of the cooperation were identified on both sides of the border. The institutionalization of this cooperation through the creation of the Euroregion was recognized by the stakeholders as an opportunity to dynamize social and economic development and to absorb EU funds more effectively. The developed concept of Euroregions creation and the case study analysis enrich the scientific output related to the theory of territorial cooperation, and offer practical solutions useful in the development of cross‐border areas, with particular consideration of regions located at the external borders of the EU.