The Ethnographic Diversity of Rural Areas in the Wielkopolska Region as a Potential for Development of Tourism

Rural areas are increasingly recognized as spaces with significant tourism potential, particularly in terms of sustainable development and regional revitalization. This study examines the role of ethnographic diversity as a factor influencing tourism development in rural areas in the Wielkopolska region of Poland. The research aims to identify distinctive cultural features of selected ethnographic groups and assess their potential contribution to tourism and regional development. The study is based on secondary data from Statistics Poland (GUS), the National Heritage Board, and unpublished materials from the Wielkopolska Agricultural Advisory Centre. The analytical methods used include descriptive statistics, spatial analysis, and indicator-based assessment of tourism function, using measures such as the Baretje-Defert index and tourist traffic indicators. The results reveal that Wielkopolska’s rural areas are characterized by rich ethnographic diversity, encompassing both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. However, this potential remains largely underutilized. This is primarily due to limited infrastructure and weak institutional support. Agritourism is identified as the dominant form of tourism, while the broader development of rural tourism is limited. The study concludes that ethnographic diversity constitutes a valuable resource for developing sustainable tourism, but its effective utilization requires improved infrastructure, stronger stakeholder engagement, and strategies that balance economic benefits with preserving cultural authenticity.