Cooperation for the Development of Tourism in a Region Based on the Example of Local Governments of Municipalities within the Valuable Natural Areas of The Lublin Province

Subject and purpose of work: The subject of the work was intra- and intersectoral cooperation between local governments for the development of tourism. The aim of the work was to evaluate the activity of local governments natural valuable areas of Lublin Province in undertaking co-operation in tourism. Materials and methods: The accomplishment of the objective was supported by the analysis of the literature of the subject and the results of the research carried out in 2013. The area of the study was composed of 30 municipalities of the highest ecological value group in Lublin Province. A diagnostic survey method was applied, with the use of an interview questionnaire which was addressed to village and town mayors. The additional source of information consisted of the web pages of municipal offices, organizations, which belonged to the surveyed local governments and statutes of these organizations. Results: It was shown that local governments within natural valuable areas did not sufficiently exploit diagonal co-operation in stimulating tourism development. The measures aimed at supporting tourism were characterized by lack of comprehensiveness. Only about one third of self-governments undertook comprehensive measures using forms of intrasectoral and intersectoral cooperation. Conclusions: Further development and intensification of diagonal cooperation is postulated, as well as promotion of good practices.