Drogi i bezdroża informacji turystycznej na przykładzie miast Górnośląskiego Okręgu Przemysłowego

Abstract

The increase in significance of information as such translates into the growing role of tourist information. Tourist information is most often understood as all possible data which are of vital interest for a tourist such as: accommodation, tourist attractions, legal articles (mainly in case of international tourism) and communication availability. Polish Tourist Organization (POT) presents a wider perspective taking into consideration three issues: information as such (data bank), method of processing, storage and its availability together with the network of responsible institutions. The mutual element of various definitions of tourist information is giving information related to tourism to all who are interested. What institutions deal with this issue and what information is provided constitute basic research questions. I have analysed this problem in comparison with an organization structure, relations among various institutions, methods of providing information and its range. The area of study involved 21 towns of Upper Silesian Industrial Region (further GOP) and the research was conducted at the turn of 2010 and 2011, off season. I visited listed institutions in person. Collected information materials, notes of interviews and observations were analysed and used to formulate opinions and draw conclusions. GOP, a conurbation inhabited by over 3 million people, wanting to break the stereotype of heavy industry region and destroyed environment has been trying to support tourist development in the region. That is why tourist information, a crucial element of this tourist infrastructure, is a vital research issue due to which it is possible to draw conclusions about, for example, condition and prospects of tourism development in GOP. As a tourist information system has been transformed (since 2010), the structure of tourist information system in GOP is also being changed or, more likely, has not developed according to guidelines of POT. There is no provincial or regional tourism information centre and its role to some extend has been played by Silesian Tourist Organization (ŚOT) which is indicated by the range of its activities, among others production and distribution of tourist promotional and informative materials about the province of Silesia, participation in trade fairs and holding events. Eight tourist information centres operated within the examined area (8 towns) and almost all were municipal information centres (further MCI). They replaced tourist information centres known from the previous decades and led most often by PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society – the last of this typed operated in Chorzów). MCIs are most often municipal bodies being even the elements of the municipal council structure (Bytom, Tarnowskie Góry, partly Katowice). Apart from typical tasks for tourist information centres, they also provide other services-selling souvenirs or tickets (what is in agreement with a new role of these institutions). The system is supplemented by 2 tourist information desks. These 10 tourist information units (different levels and rungs) focus on providing oral information, presenting informative materials (limited range) sometimes out-of-date, mostly simplified. The materials on offer used to be richer, although not always updated. Local authorities – municipal councils and district offices deal to some extend with tourist information, mostly focusing on promotion. In all councils, except for one, there are units (departments, offices) dealing with it directly. Although the clerks in majority unwillingly provide tourists with information (with few exceptions) the number and variety of free informative materials about the town/county are high, much higher than in case of MCI. It is worth stressing that 22 out of 25 councils provided the map of their region. Tourist visiting the town do not get in touch with this abundance of materials/tourist information because they do not visit the council but seek information in municipal tourist information centres (MCI). Regional museums also deal with tourist information – at least from council employees' point of views. In turn, museum workers refuse to take a stand on this matter. However, it does not exclude anything as together with the completion of statutory tasks especially educational ones, they conduct or support promotional or informative activities, mainly related to the past of the region. Moreover, accommodation units and tourist attractions provide tourist information focusing on the economic use of this tool. The role of libraries in this matter is vague. Considering the quantity, quality and availability of tourist information municipal councils and district offices in all cases provided some and often various and rich offer of promotional and informative materials and sometimes oral information. If we compare this to merely 10 tourist information units in the examined area, providing few and less professional materials together with good quality oral information, and with other institutions for which tourist information is of marginal importance, the situation of tourist information in GOP cannot be considered as ideal. It is rather under organizational reconstruction and as regards competence at its initial stage. The situation may change after completion of the programme of the development and functioning of the Silesian tourist information system – the principles of the project allow only for moderate optimism.