Opinion of the Local Community on the Tourist Attractiveness of the Commune and Selected Agritourism Development Factors

The main objective of the research was to present the opinion of the local community on the tourist attractiveness of the commune of Siemiatycze (Podlasie province) and selected factors of agritourism development. In order to fully and objectively recognise such factors, empirical material was collected with the use of the diagnostic survey method and survey questionnaire. Research was conducted in May 2019 and the questionnaire was sent to commune inhabitants. 52 respondents took part in the research. In addition, the author used the method of CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) with 11 owners of overnight accommodation facilities operating in Siemiatycze commune. Research shows that the tourist attractiveness of the commune has a significant impact on the level of agritourism development. In addition, the majority of surveyed residents (73.1%) considered the area of the Siemiatycze commune as conducive to the development of tourism and agritourism. In their opinion, the area of the commune is rich in natural and cultural values and is characterized by high forest cover, the occurrence of meadows, ponds and rivers. The majority of respondents (80.1%) believed that the development of agritourism could increase the income of the population and raise the standard of living. Only 15.4% of respondents believed that agritourism could bring negative effects, e.g. taking over negative patterns of behaviour (especially young people), destroying equipment and buildings, and the aversion of the community towards visitors.