From the restricted zone to the local border traffic - evolution of openness of Polish border with the Kaliningrad Oblast and its influence on the contemporary tourism in Gdansk

Abstract

Kaliningrad Oblast is the nearest foreign country territory to Gdansk. Border crossing regulations have great implications for cross-border cooperation between the two regions. The latest milestone that contributed to the mutual availability of both territories was the introduction of local border traffic between Poland and Kaliningrad Oblast on July 27, 2012.
The main objective of this paper is to analyse the impact of the local border traffic on one of the sectors of Gdansk economy - tourism sector. The second aim of the author of this article is to draw attention to the important role of tourism in evoking positive changes in Polish-Russian relations. Tourism is not only a consequence of cross-border cooperation but also a driving force behind changes in the quality of international contacts. The introduction of the local border traffic is therefore a challenge particularly for people who are in charge of tourism policy in Gdansk