Development of Tourism in the Białowieża Forest in 2020-2023

Abstract Subject and purpose of work The aim of the research undertaken was to present the development of tourism in the Białowieża Forest in the years 2020-2023. This was also the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The subject of the research were facilities and institutions operating in the Białowieża Forest. Materials and methods The research was presented based on the most attractive places and the frequency of their visits by tourists. The research used the following methods: direct in-depth interview, analysis of specialist literature, inductive and deductive. Results Tourist traffic in the Białowieża Forest was different in individual years, and during the pandemic it decreased significantly, despite the presence of various advantages in this area. In the years 2020-2023, the largest number of tourists visited the European Bison Show Reserve. The fewest visited the Tourism and Promotion Center “Bison Land”. Comparing the years studied, it should be noted that the lowest tourist traffic was recorded in 2021-2022. Conclusions Despite the pandemic and the influx of refugees, tourist traffic took place, but for it to be more intensive, the number of anthropogenic attractions should be increased. This would “attract” domestic and foreign tourists even more.