Activities undertaken by higher education institutions to develop tourism and cultural offer in academic cities : a case study of Krakow

The contemporary role that higher education institutions play is not limited to educational and scientific research activity. It involves also creating local tourism cultural offer and an offer of spending leisure time for inhabitants and visitors. Therefore the purpose of the article is to describe the activities undertaken by higher education institutions using the example of Krakow. On the basis of the query of source materials it was possible to identify types of undertakings carried out by higher education institutions, also in cooperation with other entities for which the basis are academic traditions and potential. As the example of Krakow shows, higher education institutions affect the development of incoming tourism in three main areas: educational tourism, cultural tourism, and business tourism and MICE industry. They also broaden the offer of spending leisure time in the city directed to inhabitants, students and tourists. Academic potential influences the function and image of the city in the national and international arena. Thus it seems necessary to include higher education institutions in the development of a local tourism offer and cultural animation of the city life.