Thematic villages as an example of innovativeness in rural tourism

Abstract

The aim of the publication is to characterise thematic villages as an example of innovation in the tourism industry in Poland. The article presents the origin and conditions of the development of this kind of activity in Poland, which is growing in popularity. The paper characterises thematic villages on the example of Bałtów. It describes their development, economic importance and the most important achievements illustrating innovativeness. The article also contains statistical data and their analysis in relation to the changes which have taken place in this respect in recent years. The publication also attempts to forecast the future situation of thematic villages in Poland. This article was written using book materials, statistical data, as well as nethographic information. The research method used in the publication is the literary criticism and an analysis of the existing data. The research findings positively verify the thesis that thematic villages significantly contribute to the growth of innovativeness of the Polish countryside.