Threats to the forest ecosystem and visitors in forest areas in the opinion of tourist in the Krynki Forest District

The paper presents declarative opinions of 239 tourists who visited the area of the Krynki Forest District in July−September 2013. The opinions were collected in direct interviews using of a questionnaire. The analysis distinguished two groups of respondents: 135 people (56,5%) who visited the forest district for the first time, and 104 respondents (43,5%) for whom it was the subsequent visit. We analysed the opinion of tourists on such problems as: (1) anthropogenic threats to the forest ecosystem, (2) factors constituting a threat to visitors to forest areas, and (3) forms of recreation and rest that can be implemented in forest areas. To examine the significance of mean differences between analysed groups of respondents that differ in experience and hypothetical readiness to declare the amount of WTP> 0, the Mann−Whitney test was used. Respondents considered forest fires and garbage left in the forest as the greatest threat to forest ecosystems, while among factors threatening people resting in forest areas, respondents pointed to the natural factors such as vipers, ticks and mosquitoes. Respondents considered that admissible forms of recreation and rest in forest areas are sport and cross−country races, horse riding and cycling, while ones that pose a threat to forest ecosystems, e.g. organization of mass events or bonfires and family events with barbecue, should be prohibited. No impact on differences in the opinions declared by the respondents, their tourist experience or readiness to declare the amount of WTP was disclosed