No abstract

The study discusses the issue of assessment of investment projects planned in environmentally valuable areas. The study area was Biebrza National Park. The source of data was the available literature on the subject, as well as information contained in the Chronicles of Biebrza National Park of year 2015 and 2016. An interview with the park authorities was also conducted. Analyses were developed and conclusions were drawn with regard to investments in the park area. The types of investment projects implemented were specified, as well as the share of these projects in communes located within the park area in relation to the number of inhabitants. It was found that investment projects implemented in the areas protected as a part of the national park were investments in farm buildings, animal houses and – most of all – residential buildings.

The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing consumer decisions on the purchase of meat and find out how important in making the decisions is the criterion of animal welfare. The study was based on reports and other publications of the European Commission, literature review, as well as field research carried out among consumers, using an interview questionnaire (the PAPI method). The purpose of the research was to analyse diversity of customer buying habits, depending on such variables as their age, education, place of residence (urban or rural area) and the level of income. The results of the χ2 test prove that there are correlations between the education, place of residence and income of the respondents and their decisions to purchase meat from farms maintaining animal welfare. No correlations were found between the age of the respondents and their decisions to purchase meat from farms maintaining animal welfare. The findings also prove that less than 50% of the society of Poland has encountered the concept of animal welfare. The key criteria for decisions on the purchase of meat and meat products were the price and easy preparation.

The aim of the work was to assess the development of the accommodation base and its quality in Poland in 2004-2016. The spatial diversity of tourist facilities in Poland was also pointed out. The data of the Central Statistical Office was analyzed. The research shows that since 2004, both the number of Polish and foreign tourists has been increasing. Tourists opted for a higher standard of accommodation. The largest selection of such facilities was available in the Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie and Małopolskie provinces.

Changes in the development of individual regions in Poland are a result of many factors. Among them significant is the initiative of the inhabitants to undertake business, its development or expansion. The aim of the study was to characterize and evaluate a selected branch of agribusiness in the eastern region of Poland. In order to achieve this aim, the results of our own surveys were carried out among 115 entrepreneurs associated in various types of associations operating in the rural areas of the eastern region. The motivations to start the agritourist activity of the respondents, the conditions of conducting such activity and the support or lack thereof in the entrepreneur's environment were assessed. According to the analysis, the desire to start and continue agritourism activity is largely driven by a favorable environment both in the social and natural sphere. Agritourism is perceived as a positive factor in the advertising and enrichment of a given region, so it should be supported not only by the neighboring agritourism owner but also by the regional authorities. It should be assumed that as a result of relatively more financial and educational assistance for farmers, there will be an increased interest in starting development initiatives for agribusiness activities among the inhabitants of the region.