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Authenticity in Intangible Heritage as a Key to the Development of Tourism Products: Theoretical Frameworks from Poland
Consumer Attitudes and Purchase Intentions for Antibiotic-Free Pork in Poland: An Empirical Study
Wieprzowina z chowu bez antybiotyków w opinii konsumentów: znaczenie jakości i bezpieczeństwa żywności
The purpose of this study is to present consumers’ opinions on antibiotic-free pork, with a focus on their preferences and knowledge of the safety of such foods. The study aimed to determine to what extent the selected factors influence consumers’ purchasing decisions and their confidence in antibiotic-free meat products (having such a label at the time of purchase). Surveys were conducted on a sample of 1,177 people via the SurvGo platform. The research showed, there is no change in the frequency of pork purchases (usually several times a month), as well as the key characteristics for the buyer, i.e. taste qualities and habits and traditions. Customers consider the appearance of meat, its quality and price to be the three most important purchase criteria. However, the conducted analysis of knowledge regarding the distinction between the terms “antibiotic-free meat” and “raising without antibiotics” indicated a relatively low awareness in this regard, despite clear declarations of willingness to purchase meat with a label describing the desired parameters. This indicates the need to continuously educate consumers not only about the health benefits of pork, but also about the ways in which animals are kept to achieve high quality meat, including information about antibiotic-free farming. In addition, consumers perceive antibiotic-free pork as healthier than traditional meat, safe to eat, free of antibiotics, but also more expensive. Respondents are aware that such pork will be harder to find in stores, as there are few producers on the market offering such pork. Nevertheless, they say they are willing to pay 10%-20% more for pork labeled as antibiotic-free pork. It is noteworthy that for almost two-thirds of respondents (73.7%), the health benefits of eating such pork would be an important factor in their purchasing decisions.
Socio-Economic Factors Influencing Agritourism Farm Stays and Their Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Poland
The article presents reasons for the choices and opinions of tourists regarding rest and its safety in agritourism farms in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We used the diagnostic survey method. We distributed the questionnaire via the Internet on Facebook in thematic groups related to tourism. Facebook respondents were also asked to provide a link to the questionnaire to their tourism-active friends (snowball sampling). We conducted the survey in January 2021. Research has shown that well-educated and well-off residents of cities most often chose agritourism. The main reason for the choice is the possibility of rest in peace and quiet, natural values, and an attractive price. Notably, during the pandemic, an important reason for choosing agritourism was to convince tourists that the risk of coronavirus infection was relatively low. This is also evidenced by the fact that most of them visited an agritourism farm for the first time during the pandemic. The attractiveness of staying on an agritourism farm was assessed highly (almost all respondents expressed their willingness to take advantage of this form of leisure again). This is due to the high evaluation of the quality of services provided, the offer’s attractiveness, and price competitiveness.
Ekoschematy jako nowe narzędzie wsparcia rolnictwa - stan realizacji w Polsce
The article outlines the changes to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 with a particular focus on a new type of direct payment, i.e. ecoschemes. The aim of the article is also to present the interest of farmers in this tool for obtaining funds in the initial period of its operation, i.e. in the first half of 2023. The level and spatial differentiation of interest of Polish farmers in this new type of direct payments was analyzed. It was indicated that the number of applications submitted is influenced by the production specialization of individual provinces. The results of the study further confirm that carbon farming is the most popular of the five types of ecoschemes, with practices such as mixing straw into the soil (61.2%), using winter intercrops/intercrops (35.0%) and mixing manure on arable land within 12 hours of application (23.8%). This state of affairs was influenced by the previous experience of farmers related to the improvement of soil structure.
Potential interest in agricultural water management investments in the context of sustainable development
This article contributes to the discussion on water management in agriculture and investment needs in this area. Water is a key resource for agricultural production. Contemporary economic, social, and environmental challenges require farmers to implement modern drainage and irrigation solutions that will increase the efficiency of agricultural water use and produce food in line with sustainable development principles. The aim of the study was to determine the potential interest of farmers in modern irrigation and drainage investments (regarding both traditional solutions and digital innovations, including specialised software). Primary data were collected by survey method using an electronic questionnaire in 2021–2022. The research group consisted of 784 Polish farmers. Secondary source data was supplemented by analysis of specialised literature. The research results were analysed using a descriptive method. Additionally, statistical methods were used (Pearson's chi-square test of independence, Wald-Wolfowitz runs test, Kruskal-Wallis test). The study results indicate a significant need for irrigation and drainage investments on Polish farms. The results also indicated that farmer age and farm size significantly influence farmers' interest in modern solutions supporting sustainable water use for agricultural purposes.
An Empirical Assessment of Students’ Tourist Preferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Gender Perspective: Evidence from Poland
The purpose of this research is to reveal the tourist preferences of students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on differences between genders. This study was carried out in January 2021 and relied on the CAWI technique with a questionnaire distributed on social media. The snowball method was used to reach a wider audience. Valid questionnaires were retrieved from 870 respondents, primarily women (66.8%). The results demonstrate that tourist activity was witnessed despite the pandemic, but it differed between men and women. The latter travelled more often and for longer periods, and they chose August and September from the summer months. Although most travelling students sought active recreation, female students more frequently decided to be less active or opted for passive leisure during their stays. Unlike men, women sought safety and therefore mostly opted for individual apartments or hotels; staying with family or friends was a much less popular scenario for them, primarily because they feared it could expose their loved ones to the virus. For the whole group covered by the survey, sanitary and epidemiological restrictions, the reduced availability of attractions in tourist destinations, and increased prices were the main inconveniences that they faced when travelling in 2020.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourist Travel Risk Perception and Travel Behaviour: A Case Study of Poland
This article aims to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of the risk of travel and travel behaviour by Poles. The study was conducted using the survey method and the CAWI technique and was carried out in January 2021. The final research sample consisted of 509 respondents. Tourism has always been exposed to various threats: natural disasters, terrorism, etc. In such cases, tourists choose a different, safe direction. However, in 2020, tourism found itself facing a crisis that brought it to a complete stop worldwide. The spread of the COVID-19 virus and safety concerns, as well as global travel restrictions, led to a change in travel during this time. The results show that the respondents resigned especially from going abroad for security reasons, choosing to rather stay in the country and other places that, from their point of view, were safer places to rest.
System utrzymania bez antybiotyków drogą do zrównoważonej produkcji świń
The aim of the article is to introduce the issue of pig raising systems without antibiotics on farms aiming to produce high-quality pork sought by consumers. The article presents a pig raising system without antibiotics as one of the ways to achieve sustainability of this production direction on the example of farms in Wielkopolska, taking into account production and economic aspects. The research is exploratory and contributes to further in-depth economic analyses. The analysis of the literature on the subject revealed an existing research gap in this area including, among others: in the field of agricultural economics. The source of factual knowledge was data obtained from the AgroIntegracia Wieprzowina consortium. The research proved that running a pig raising system without antibiotics, although it requires the introduction of specific technological and sanitary regimes, is satisfactory for farms in terms of both production and economic performance, although it requires them to take a holistic approach to production, i.e. oriented towards both animal genetics, animal productivity and overall welfare. The implementation of systems for raising pigs without antibiotics can contribute not only to improving the safety of the pork supply chain, but also to shortening it.
Financing streams of post-registration variety testing: a case study from Poland
This paper addresses the measures taken to implement progress in agriculture, with particular emphasis on the role played by Post-Registration Variety Testing (PRVT). Special attention was paid to assessing the structure of financing streams for PRVT in Poland, how they evolve over time and how they differ between locations. The Reports on the Implementation of the Post-Registration Variety Testing (PRVT) Program in 2010-2021 were used as source materials. Studies were carried out using 2010 constant prices. This paper found an increase in the number of PRVT research projects and experiments over the study period, which contributed to promoting biological progress, although the uses of PRVT findings differed between regions. Focus was also placed on the restructuring of financing for post-registration testing, with two leading streams being identified, namely the state budget and funds delivered by third parties, including private operators. The authors emphasized the importance of earmarked subsidies allocated to PRVT in the state budget, and the role they play in stimulating the transfer of knowledge and in promoting advancements and preserving biodiversity in Polish agriculture. The conclusion also points out the importance of PODs also in terms of the suitability of varieties for production in particular regions and under given technological conditions, which is in line with, among other things, the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, i.e. SDG 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns) and SDG 15 (protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss).
Postawy młodych konsumentów mięsa wieprzowego w zakresie procesów jego produkcji oraz właściwości zdrowotnych
For years, pork has been one of the most popular types of meat consumed in Poland, due in part to the long tradition of pig farming and pork processing. The aim of the study was to identify and describe the attitudes of young adults from Generation Z towards pork consumption. The study addressed the following questions: What type of meat consumers are young adults from Generation Z? What factors guide their purchasing decisions regarding pork? Which elements of meat-related advertising messages, consistent with the principles of communication ethics, attract their attention the most? Given the specific characteristics of this generation (as “trying consumers”), identified through a literature review and a questionnaire survey, particular emphasis was placed on the structure of advertising messages about meat. Attention was also directed toward messages free from so-called greenwashing, i.e., pseudo-ecological marketing, by conducting a visual analysis of labels provided by meat producers operating within antibiotic-free farming systems. The findings confirmed the pro-ecological orientation of Generation Z young adults. The study showed that they focus not only on the appearance of the product, but above all on the advertising slogan “from antibiotic-free, GMO-free farming”, which highlights the importance of ecological messaging as a key element that captures their attention.
A Framework for Financing Post-Registration Variety Testing System: A Case Study from Poland
Agriculture is essential to ensuring food security and prosperity around the world. The importance of cultivating agricultural plant species cannot be overestimated. One of the key challenges faced by modern food producers is to increase efficiency while ensuring sustainability and improving resilience to unfavorable environmental conditions brought about by ongoing climate change. To meet these challenges, it is vital to continue breeding work and to select plant varieties best adapted to local farming conditions. Undoubtedly, future yield increases will only be achievable by way of genetic improvement. In turn, crop-variety recommendations should rely on the results of properly designed post-registration variety testing (PRVT, in polish PDO), followed up by specific variety recommendations for growers. In this article, we attempt to fill a gap in the international literature regarding post-registration variety testing. We present PRVT as a unique scheme that is key to selecting agricultural plant varieties recommended for cultivation, with due account taken of Poland’s specific farming conditions. Every year, over 1000 field cultivar tests are carried out as part of PRVT. The results of these tests constitute reliable, objective source material for farmers and help them make choices regarding the most valuable varieties for cultivation that are also best adapted to local farming conditions. Among the financial benefits of selecting the right crop varieties for agriculture are lower cultivation costs, including reduced fertilizer and pesticide spending, and higher income generated by larger yields.
Oczekiwania konsumentów względem oferty agroturystycznej
Agritourism is a subject of growing interest among consumers, therefore, the key to the success of agritourism activities is to know the expectations and preferences of customers. The purpose of the study was to present the expectations of consumers of agritourism services, including the factors and elements of choosing this form of recreation, and what additional services and attractions would be most desirable. The empirical material was collected through desk research and a diagnostic survey using the CAWI technique. The surveys were conducted in March 2023 and the research sample consisted of 200 people. They showed that among the most important reasons for choosing an agritourism farm as a place to relax were the opportunity to spend more time with the family, the attractive price of services, and the possibility of taking advantage of the food offered by the host. On the other hand, respondents indicated a desire to rest in a peaceful environment and direct contact with nature as the main elements for choosing agritourism farms. In addition, the survey showed that the attractive price of the agritourism offer is a significant factor in encouraging people to take advantage of their stay on agritourism farms.
Zarządzanie walorami turystycznymi parków krajobrazowych w Polsce
Celem niniejszego opracowania jest przedstawienie istoty zarządzania walorami parków krajobrazowych. W procesie zarządzania w parku krajobrazowym na pierwszym miejscu zawsze znajdują się unikatowe walory przyrodnicze, kulturowe i krajobrazowe, które są „magnesem” przyciągającym szerokie rzesze osób w celach edukacyjnych oraz turystyczno-rekreacyjnych. W procesie zarządzania należy uwzględnić elementy marketingu terytorialnego, a w szczególności instrumenty związane z promocją walorów krajobrazowych danego parku. Co więcej, władze parku powinny współpracować z przedstawicielami jednostek samorządu terytorialnego, organizacjami pozarządowymi oraz mieszkańcami w celu realizacji przyjętych planów ochrony parku.
