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The Importance of Cruise Tourism for the Local and National Economy. The Example of the Seaport of Kołobrzeg
Abstract
Theoretical background: Cruise tourism is a rapidly growing economic sector, with an impact on the local economy. Previous studies have focused on cruise tourism from large seaports, using different methodologies and emphasizing different economic impact factors.
Purpose of the article: This article identifies the importance of cruise tourism from a small seaport for the economy of the Koszalin sub-region and the country. Different methodological approaches to the studied phenomenon were highlighted. Factors influencing the importance of cruise tourism were identified.
Research methods: The importance of cruise tourism was determined using the input-output method, which allows for determining direct, indirect and induced effects. The regionalization of the national input-output table was performed based on the Flegg location quotient. The research material was obtained as a result of the conducted surveys. Materials using different methodologies in cruise tourism research were adopted for comparative analysis. The research results were presented in tabular form.
Main findings: Cruise tourism is a crucial component of the local economy, generates EUR 31.50 million of global output and EUR 13.70 million of added value, providing 370 jobs for the Koszalin subregion. The corresponding values at the national economy level are EUR 51.24 million of global output, EUR 21.67 million of added value, and 570 jobs. There are two approaches to studying cruise tourism in the literature, but they do not affect the results. The importance of cruise tourism depends on the number of tourists, the amount of expenditure, the type of port, the reference area and the accuracy of calculations. The industry’s financial situation has recently deteriorated following rising operating expenses and market competition. The improvement of the situation should be seen in the promotion of cruise tourism, especially among foreign tourists, and the establishment of network contacts with the ports of the Southern Baltic.
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17951/h.2025.59.5.69-90
Date of publication: 2026-01-27 15:17:29
Date of submission: 2024-09-27 23:19:59
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