The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tourism in the Tatra County (Poland)

The COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous restrictions implemented because of it have had a huge impact on the tourism sector around the world. The aim of this study is to identify and assess their effects on tourism in the Tatra County, the area in which there are some of the most popular tourist places in Poland – the Tatra National Park and the town of Zakopane. The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decrease in the tourist traffic in this area in 2020, and as a result, a smaller number of incidents requiring the intervention of the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue, less demand for accommodation or fewer foreign tourists. In addition, entrepreneurs directly or indirectly involved in the tourism industry recorded lower revenues or losses. Smaller revenues were also recorded in the mentioned town of Zakopane.