Waloryzacja i ocena potencjału turystyczno-kulturowego Lwowskiej Drogi św. Jakuba Via Regia (odcinek Lwów – Szeginie)

The valorisation and evaluation of the tourism and cultural potential of the Lviv Way of St. James Via Regia (Lviv – Shehyni section) The research is devoted to the section of the Way of St. James, known as the Lviv Way of St. James Via Regia. The examined section of the route is the first and only section of Camino de Santiago currently existing in Ukraine. A total length of the section of the Way of St. James marked along the way from Lviv to Shehyni (the border between Poland and Ukraine) is 105 km. The analysis of the tourism and cultural potential of the Lviv Way of St. James Via Regia has been conducted with the use of the point bonitation method developed by Armin Mikos von Rohrscheidt for theme tourist and cultural routes as tourism products. Objects of key importance to the functioning of the route, management of tourism facilities, availability for transportation and theme events have been assessed. The general assessment of the functioning of the route has been performed and solutions which may have an influence on the further development of the section of the Way of St. James have been indicated. When analysing research results, the cartographic method, the descriptive and analytical method as well as the dynamic and comparative methods have been used. The performed valorisation of the Lviv Way of St. James Via Regia with Mikos von Rohrscheidt’s method has indicated that, considering the general score (493 points), the analysed section of Camino de Santiago should be classified as a route of medium tourism potential. The shortcomings largely result from the lack of knowledge about the Way of St. James among residents of Ukraine, the absence of cult of St. James the Apostle in Ukraine, and a short functioning of the route which has not yet found its permanent place in the awareness of the population of the Lviv Oblast. The theme compliance of individual objects with the declared theme of the route and the marking of the route have received the lowest evaluation. Also, the assessment of the route in terms of promotional activities and own service has been low whereas the overall evaluation of the accommodation and catering facilities in three marked locations along the route (Lviv, Horodok, Shehyni) has improved.