Podgórze – a Neglected District or a Dormant Potential? Image of the Place in the Light of Information and Promotional Materials

Abstract

Podgórze, formerly an independent city, was adjoined to Krakow in 1915. Although it has many valuable monuments and attractive places, it still remains in the shadow of both the oldest, historic part of Krakow and Kazimierz. The aim of this article is to evaluate the image of Podgórze and its attractions in the light of the collected and analysed promotional and informational materials. An attempt was made to answer questions about the action being taken and the direction it should go in order to improve the attractiveness and increase the tourists’ interest in the district. In order to achieve this goal, a search was conducted for Internet and printed sources concerning Podgórze, aimed at the average tourist. In order to extend the research, a diagnostic survey was conducted among the students of the Pedagogical University, the Faculty of Tourism and Recreation, surveying their knowledge and opinions on the tourist attractions of Podgórze and the perception of the district. The survey had an initial character and should be repeated on a larger, repre-sentative sample, consisting of both domestic and foreign tourists. It should be stressed that a characteristic feature of Podgórze is that the difference in perception of its attractiveness and monuments is significant and clearly visible in promotional and information materials and the tourist offer addressed to the visitors, as well as in the image of the district they create.