Managing the development of tourism in border areas on the example of the Cieszyn Silesia Euroregion

Purpose:The aim of this article is to present Cieszyn Silesia as a modernly managed Euroregion.The paper highlights the advantages of this tourist destination as well as the importance of efficient tourism development management in border areas, including the creation of good neighbourly relations based on mutual respect for national differences as well as undertaking mutually beneficial cooperation based on partnership.Design/methodology/approach: The research included studies of specialist literature in the field of territorial marketing, devoted to both Euroregional cooperation and instruments supporting the development of tourism in border regions.A total of 24 publications in the form of monographs and scientific articles were used, as well as source materials obtained from the Cross-Border Tourist Information Centre in Cieszyn.An important source of information on the cooperation of the authorities of Polish Cieszyn and Czech Tn was also an individual in-depth interview (IDI) conducted with the Chairman of the Silesian Railway Association in Cieszyn, Mr. Ladislav Antalc.Findings: The article emphasizes the need to ensure managerial responsibility and sustainable development of local tourism, which involves taking into account the economic, social and aesthetic needs of various stakeholder groups on both sides of the border.In addition, selected tourist attractions of the Cieszyn Silesia Euroregion are described.Research limitations/implications: In the future it would certainly seem worthwhile to carry out representative marketing research, among both actual and potential tourists mainly from Poland and the Czech Republic, in order to identify those elements of the tourist offering of the Cieszyn Region that can be modified and further optimized.Practical implications: Effective management of tourism development in the border Euroregion of Cieszyn Silesia brings many benefits to local governments, residents, tourists, investors, travel agencies, hotels, guesthouses and restaurants.The article also discusses the main elements of the tourist offering and the advantages of Euroregional cooperation.Originality/value: The results of the conducted analysis have both cognitive and utilitarian value, especially in the context of developing and implementing a strategy for promoting the tourist offering of the Cieszyn Silesia Euroregion.