The Impact of Natural and Cultural Resources on the Development of Rural Tourism: A Case Study of Dobre Miasto Municipality in Poland

Abstract

The landscape of the Warmian municipality of Dobre Miasto has significant natural and cultural value. However, the municipality’s tourism potential remains untapped. The absence of comprehensive local zoning plans covering the entire municipality or most of its territory has disrupted the landscape, leading to the emergence of visually discordant elements. Due to rapid land-use changes in the Region of Warmia, the protection and preservation of its rich natural and cultural heritage are increasingly challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of natural and cultural resources, as well as tourism infrastructure, on the development potential of rural tourism in Dobre Miasto municipality in Poland’s historical region of Warmia. Attempts were made to identify spatial disparities in tourism attractiveness and to determine the ways in which the local environmental and the cultural landscape may support sustainable tourism planning. The results provide valuable insights for implementing appropriate land-use strategies and setting new directions for future development. Tourism infrastructure has to be modernized, expanded, and adapted to new projects, while ensuring that planning and tourism management align with the principles of sustainable development. The growth of tourism creates new opportunities for stimulating rural areas, but it requires careful planning and the implementation of policies that effectively regulate tourist flows while maintaining ecological and cultural integrity.

1. Introduction

Rural tourism is a type of tourism activity that takes place in rural areas and relies on local natural and cultural resources while preserving the local identity and respecting sustainable development principles. According to [1], rural tourism can take on a variety of forms, including agritourism, cultural tourism, landscape tourism, and recreational or educational tourism, thus promoting the multifunctional development of rural areas. Rural tourism is not a new concept. The first references to this type of tourism date back to the late 19th century [2,3]. However, a cohesive definition of rural tourism has not been proposed to date because this type of tourism has a diverse and multifaceted character and differs across countries and regions [4,5]. In recent years, the concept of rural tourism has been significantly modified in response to social, economic, and environmental changes. In the literature, the portrayal of rural tourism has evolved from simple definitions focusing on geographic location to complex approaches that consider social, cultural, environmental, and technological factors [6,7]. In earlier studies (such as Lane [2]), the main emphasis was placed on location and the proximity of natural surroundings. More recent approaches have focused on interactions with the local community [8,9], cultural heritage [10,11], sustainable development [3,12,13,14], and the diversification of rural economies [15,16,17].

Rural tourism can be defined as a type of tourism that takes place in rural areas, is functionally dependent on the rural environment, economy, and culture, and enables the visitors to experience the slow pace of rural life in small-scale tourist amenities operated by members of the local community, their hospitality, and a sustainable approach to resource use. According to Lane [2], “Rural tourism is tourism that takes place in the countryside. It is multifaceted and may entail farm tourism, ecotourism, adventure tourism, nature tourism, and cultural tourism. It should be sustainably developed and based on the distinctiveness of the rural environment and culture.” According to the cited author, rural tourism is not a homogeneous concept, and it entails diverse forms of tourism that rely on the rural context as an important element of the tourist experience. The above author has identified the following key features of rural tourism: location in rural areas, small-scale operations, interactions with the local community and its traditions, focus on local resources and heritage, adherence to sustainable development principles, and support for the local identity and cultural identity.

It is widely accepted in the literature that rural tourism is based on local resources, both natural and cultural, and that its purpose is not only to provide recreational opportunities but also to stimulate the socio-economic development of rural areas [18,19,20,21]. Therefore, rural tourism can serve as an alternative source of income for rural residents while contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage and the natural environment [22,23].

In recent years, scholars have increasingly emphasized the role of community-based tourism as an effective, bottom-up approach to sustainable rural development. This model empowers local residents by actively engaging them in tourism planning and management processes, which strengthens social cohesion and ensures long-term benefits for the community [8,9].

Another crucial concept in sustainable tourism planning is tourism carrying capacity, understood as the maximum number of visitors that an area can accommodate without causing the degradation of natural or cultural resources or diminishing the quality of the tourist experience [13,14]. Incorporating this perspective is essential when designing tourism strategies for areas with valuable yet fragile environmental and cultural assets.

In practice, every type of tourism diminishes the quantity and quality of natural resources. However, the negative impact of tourism can be minimized. To achieve this goal, tourism should be adequately planned, and the tourism model should be adapted to the specific needs and characteristics of the local natural and cultural environment [24]. Therefore, to achieve sustainability, tourist activities should be organized and conducted in a manner that protects the visited areas and preserves their natural, social, and cultural values. Ideally, the sustainable tourism model should reconcile contemporary economic, social, and environmental needs with the needs of future generations. This model should also incorporate the concept of ecotourism, namely tourism that protects natural and cultural resources without compromising economic growth. Ecotourism shares many common features with the concept of responsible, alternative, or eco-friendly tourism [25,26]. This type of tourism encourages businesses to invest in multi-story residential buildings or tourist facilities in areas with attractive scenery. Bajerowski et al. [27] confirmed the presence of a strong relationship between scenic attractiveness and the prices of recreational property. For this reason, the effective management of cultural heritage can play a significant role in sustainable regional and local development by creating new jobs or stimulating tourism development [28,29].

Contemporary rural tourism should be more inclusive and resilient; it should engage various social groups and address climate concerns and social changes. For example, the significance of digital services, the experience economy, and ecotourism are increasingly recognized in rural tourism [30,31,32].

In recent years, research on rural tourism in Poland has increasingly focused on its sustainable development. A growing number of studies indicate that eco-friendly practices should be integrated with rural management. Local resources should be used in a responsible and respectful manner to protect the landscape and local traditions [33,34,35]. The importance of digitalization and innovation is increasingly recognized in the tourism sector. The influence of digital marketing tools and platforms such as Airbnb on the development of rural tourism has attracted considerable research interest. In addition to global platforms like Airbnb, Poland has seen the emergence of local accommodation services such as Nocowanie.pl and E-turysta.pl, which cater to domestic travelers and promote rural stays, including in regions such as Warmia. Technology plays an increasingly prominent role in tourism promotion, service booking, and managing the overall travel experience [36,37,38].

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the revival of rural tourism as a safe alternative to crowded resorts, giving rise to post-pandemic tourism. This trend has been analyzed by [39], who found that travelers have a growing interest in nature tourism and local experience. Cultural heritage and landscape play an important role in this context. Local identity, heritage protection, and landscape aesthetics are significant elements of the sustainable development of rural tourism. Studies investigating landscape perception [40] and cultural heritage management provide highly valuable observations in this context [41].

A comparison of previous and contemporary approaches to rural tourism is presented in

Table 1. Previous and contemporary definitions of rural tourism.

Perspective	Previous Definition	Contemporary Definition
Location	Rural areas as the background	Rural areas as resources that can be conscientiously developed
Goal	Rest and relaxation	Local development, social participation, sustainable development
Resources	Nature and scenery	Cultural heritage, local identity
Management	Private sector initiatives	Integrated strategies for regional development

Source: [3,10,42,43].

, which summarizes key differences in location, goals, resource use, and management strategies.

In Poland, rural tourism has gained increasing popularity over the past three decades, evolving from a marginal activity into a significant segment of the national tourism market. According to the Central Statistical Office, the number of agritourism farms and rural accommodations has grown steadily since the 1990s, with a visible rise in interest during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend reflects a growing demand for nature-based, slow-paced, and culturally grounded tourism experiences, particularly in regions like Warmia and Masuria, which offer rich natural and historical heritage [7,19,38].

In view of the above, the aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the influence of natural, cultural, and special-interest tourism resources on the development potential of rural tourism in Dobre Miasto municipality in line with the principles of sustainable land management and landscape protection. Another objective was to determine, based on the example of an urban–rural municipality, the directions for the further development of rural areas. This development may contribute to the activation of local communities through sustainable tourism practices that rely on local environmental resources and cultural heritage.

2. Materials and Methods

A field study was conducted in the urban–rural municipality of Dobre Miasto in 2015–2025. The local landscape was analyzed during field visits, and the collected data were used in successive stages of research. The present article elaborates on the authors’ previous studies on the transformation of cultural landscapes and an appraisal of natural values in the historical region of Warmia [44]. This study focuses on a detailed analysis of changes in the structure of Warmia’s cultural landscape and their spatial and social consequences. In turn, Mazur and Kurowska [45] proposed a methodology for assessing natural values, which was designed specifically for landscape audits. In the current study, the assessment of natural and cultural resources was combined with an evaluation of the tourism potential of rural areas. In particular, attempts were made to identify spatial disparities in tourism attractiveness and to formulate recommendations for the sustainable development of rural tourism. The present study contributes to the existing body of knowledge and integrates previous research findings with a practical approach to land management in the context of tourism.

2.1. Characteristics of the Study Area

The urban–rural municipality of Dobre Miasto is situated in northeastern Poland in the Warmian–Masurian Voivodeship in the historical region of Warmia. Dobre Miasto is a part of Olsztyn county, and it features the town of Dobre Miasto and 27 rural administrative units. The analyzed municipality has a total area of 258.7 km², and the town of Dobre Miasto covers an area of 4.86 km². The historical region of Warmia is often mistaken for Mazury, not only by tourists but also by the local residents. In the context of rural tourism research, Dobre Miasto is an excellent example of an area with considerable natural and cultural assets that lacks well-developed, sustainable tourism infrastructure. As a result, this municipality is an ideal candidate for studies aiming to evaluate the tourism potential of rural areas. The attributes that make the greatest contribution to the development of rural tourism are described in the following sections of the article.

2.2. Tourism Infrastructure

Dobre Miasto municipality is an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling, and water sports. The municipality offers numerous attractions for visitors. The picturesque forests managed by the Wichrowo Forest Inspectorate feature hiking trails, cycling routes, and educational trails. The Inspectorate also organizes forest education classes for children and adolescents, environmental workshops for teachers, and environmental science courses and competitions, some of which are held outdoors in a wooden gazebo referred to as the forest education shelter (Figure 1a,b) [24]. Many local community events held in the amphitheater of the Friends of Culture Park in Dobre Miasto have the potential to attract tourists (Figure 1c,d). Lake Limajno, a pristine body of water (quality class II), which has earned the title of the “Pearl of Warmia”, is also a popular destination featuring a recreational center (Figure 1e), bungalows (Figure 1f), a camping site, restaurants, and a water sports equipment rental. There is a beach volleyball court (Figure 1g) and a large gazebo for visitors (Figure 1h) on the lake. The lake is surrounded by a cycling route. The municipality lies on the route of the Copernicus Trail, which runs through the towns and cities where the famous astronomer had lived and worked. The trail (marked in red on the tourist map) spans 182 km in Warmia and connects Olsztyn with Frombork. The Copernicus Trail runs through four towns and villages in the studied municipality: Cerkiewnik, Głotowo, Dobre Miasto, and Smolajny [25].

Dobre Miasto municipality also features other tourist trails and routes, which are available to visitors from various age groups. Most trails are very well marked (Figure 2a–d). Seven cycling routes in the municipality have been designed and developed by the Warmiński Zakątek (Warmian Corner) local activist group.

• The red trail, referred to as Obwodnica (ring road), has a length of 34 km and runs through Knopin–Barcikowo–Międzylesie–Smolajny–Praslity–Nowa Wieś Mała–Głotowo–Knopin.
• A short trail (4 km) for families with children featuring many rest stops. The trail begins in Dobre Miasto (Garnizonowa St.), leads to an old pine tree (monument of nature), and returns to the starting point at Garnizonowa St.
• A trail with a length of 14 km runs through Dobre Miasto (Garnizonowa St.), forest division No. 256, forest division No. 212, Wichrowo Tartak, and Wichrowo (ring road).
• Trail No. 4, with a length of 9 km, runs through forest division No. 366 (ring road), Lake Gligajny, forest division No. 420, and forest division No. 366 (ring road).
• Trail No. 5, with a length of 22 km, runs through the Agricultural School in Smolajny (ring road), Dębowa Góra, Urbanowo, the embankment of the former Orneta–Lidzbark Warmiński railway line, Mawry, Piotraszewo, and forest division No. 240 (ring road).
• A trail with a length of 20 km begins in Dobre Miasto and runs through Głotowo, Swobodna, Lake Limajno, Chmury Forest District, Cerkiewnik, Swobodna–Knopin, and returns to Dobre Miasto.
• The last trail, with a length of 17 km, runs through Cerkiewinik, Barkweda, Bukwałd, Różynka, and Cerkiewnik.

The Łyna River, the longest watercourse in the region and the 11th longest river in Poland, is a popular destination for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts and has considerable tourism potential in Dobre Miasto. The kayaking trail on Łyna and its tributaries has been developed and marked by the Warmia and Mazury Branch of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society (PTTK) in Olsztyn. This highly picturesque water trail is characterized by varied difficulty levels.

As previously noted, the municipality also abounds in historical monuments. The palace in Smolajny was the favorite getaway of Bishop Ignacy Krasicki. Smolajny also hosts the “Galop” Student Horseback Riding Sports Club, which offers horseback riding lessons and carriage rides. A former hunting lodge hosts a student dormitory, and tourist accommodation is available during school holidays [27]. The Warmia Calvary in Głotowo is a Gothic collegiate church dating back to the 14th century, where indulgences were traditionally granted to local residents. The Calvary is the second largest church in Warmia (after the Frombork Cathedral) to receive the title of Minor Basilica. The Stork Tower (Baszta Bociania) in the town of Dobre Miasto features a museum of the “Pojezierze” Association. There are also many historical churches in Orzechowo, Międzylesie, Cerkiewnik, Jesionowo, and Piotraszewo. The region also abounds in picturesque roadside shrines that are a prominent feature of the Warmian landscape. However, not all historical monuments are open to the public, as some of them have been sold to private owners. When public funds are not available for conservation projects, historical property can be auctioned by the local authorities to prevent the degradation and loss of valuable sites. There are 250 bed-places in the municipality, including 50 in the town of Dobre Miasto. Visitors can find accommodation in recreational centers, guesthouses, agritourism farms, bungalows, and private rooms [24].

Dobre Miasto is a member of the Cittaslow network that brings together small towns, promoting a “slow” lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of modern city life. Despite the fact that Dobre Miasto is the only town in the municipality to participate in the Cittaslow movement, its membership has significantly contributed to the development of rural tourism in the region [46].

The Barefoot Ecology Center (Bosa Ekologia), an organic village established in Praslity by the Warmian Society for Barefoot Living (Stowarzyszenie Warmińskich Chłopów Bosych), organizes workshops in traditional and organic food processing. The participants can learn how to bake sourdough bread, pickle vegetables, make beetroot juice, brew beer, and forage edible wild plants [47].

2.3. Research Methodology

The spatial analysis of tourism resources in the urban–rural municipality of Dobre Miasto was conducted using the ATPOL graticule, which is widely applied in environmental and landscape analyses in Poland. The graticule was originally designed for mapping the distribution of vascular plant species, but at present, it is also broadly used in assessments of environmental resources and land-use planning research [27].

In the present study, the analyzed municipality was divided into basic spatial units represented by 1 km × 1 km squares in the ATPOL graticule to compare and standardize the results for the entire study area. A total of 307 grid reference squares were created for the point-based assessment of environmental, cultural, and special-interest (such as tourist trails, tourism infrastructure, transport accessibility) tourism resources. Each square received a point score based on the predefined valuation criteria, according to the methodology described in the authors’ previous study [45].

The criteria for evaluating special-interest tourism resources were selected based on the existing tourist facilities and services and a review of the studies conducted by Suchanek [48], Lijewski et al. [49], and Płocka [50], and the tourism development potential of the studied municipality was determined by assessing the availability of resources supporting various types of tourism, including hiking, cycling, backcountry skiing, educational, equestrian, and kayaking tourism, as well as tourist accommodation and transport accessibility.

Eight criteria were selected for the study. Territories that are highly suited for hiking, cycling, backcountry skiing, equestrian, kayaking, and educational tourism were defined as areas that are well-marked, feature environmental and cultural resources of outstanding value, and are attractive for tourists. The type and condition of paved surfaces, as well as anthropogenic elements that enhance or detract from a given area’s scenic value, were also evaluated. Moderately attractive tourist destinations received three points, and areas with low tourism attractiveness received only one point. Hiking tourism was assessed based only on the Copernicus Trail, which is marked and administered by the Warmia and Mazury Branch of the PTTK. Only the cycling routes designed by the Warmiński Zakątek (Warmian Corner) local activist group were included in the evaluation. The sixth criterion was transport accessibility. Destinations that can be accessed via national and regional roads received five points, destinations that can be accessed by county roads received three points, and those that can be accessed only by local roads received one point. Additional points were awarded for tourist accommodation. Reference squares featuring hotels and guesthouses received five points, reference squares containing agritourism farms and recreational centers received three points, and those featuring only camping sites received one point. In squares with several types of tourist accommodation, the points for each type of accommodation were summed up (

Table 2. Criteria and grading scale for assessing special-interest tourism resources.

Criteria		Grading Scale
		Assessment	Points
I	Hiking tourism resources	High Moderate Low	5 3 1
II	Cycling tourism resources	High Moderate Low	5 3 1
III	Backcountry skiing tourism resources (backcountry skis are general-purpose touring skis that can be used on all terrain types outside marked ski runs (off-piste). Backcountry skis are up to 50% wider than cross-country skis, which makes them sturdier and heavier than regular skis. They are highly suited for skiing on conventional routes as well as gently sloping areas and outside marked or patrolled areas.)	High Moderate Low	5 3 1
IV	Equestrian tourism resources	High Moderate Low	5 3 1
V	Kayaking tourism resources	High Moderate Low	5 3 1
VI	Transport accessibility	National and regional roads County roads Local roads	5 3 1
VII	Tourist accommodation *	Hotel, guesthouse Agritourism, recreational center Camping site	5 3 1
VIII	Educational tourism resources	High Moderate Low	5 3 1

* The points for each type of accommodation were summed up in the reference squares. (Source: own elaboration based on Płocka [50] and Lijewski et al. [49]).

).

Based on the obtained scores, the reference squares were divided into five categories of destinations with different availability of special-interest tourism resources (

Table 3. Groups of special-interest tourism resources to which each reference square was assigned based on the total score.

Group	Description	Total Score
A	Areas with very high availability of special-interest tourism resources	>24
B	Areas with high availability of special-interest tourism resources	19–24
C	Areas with considerable availability of special-interest tourism resources	13–18
D	Areas with moderate availability of special-interest tourism resources	7–12
E	Areas with low availability of special-interest tourism resources	1–6

).

To ensure objectivity, the evaluation criteria were based on standardized indicators such as trail marking, accessibility, and type of infrastructure, as recommended by previous studies [49,50]. Although some level of interpretation is inevitable in spatial analysis, the point-based system minimizes subjectivity and ensures that independent researchers applying the same methodology would arrive at comparable results.

The overall tourism attractiveness of Dobre Miasto Municipality was determined by summing the scores obtained in assessments of natural, cultural, and special-interest tourism resources. The final aggregate score was computed by summing the partial scores in each assessment. The overall tourism attractiveness of Dobre Miasto municipality was evaluated based on three partial scores awarded for:

-

Natural resources;

-

Cultural resources;

-

Special-interest tourism resources.

Each reference square was assigned to a specific group (A, B, C, D, and E) based on the sum of the scores obtained in all partial assessments, where group A denoted areas with the highest tourism attractiveness (the highest availability of special-interest tourism resources) and group E denoted areas with the lowest tourism attractiveness (the lowest availability of special-interest tourism resources). The scores allocated to each attractiveness group are presented in

Table 4. Scores allocated to each group of areas with different tourism attractiveness.

Group	Score
A	5 points
B	4 points
C	3 points
D	2 points
E	1 point

.

The areas with different tourism attractiveness were identified by summing the scores in each reference square. As a result, the urban–rural municipality of Dobre Miasto was divided into five tourism attractiveness classes (

Table 5. Classes of overall tourism attractiveness.

Class	Tourism Attractiveness	Total Score
I	Areas with outstanding tourism attractiveness	12–13
II	Areas with high tourism attractiveness	9–11
III	Areas with considerable tourism attractiveness	6–8
IV	Areas with moderate tourism attractiveness	3–5
V	Areas with low tourism attractiveness	1–2

).

3. Results

3.1. Assessment of Special-Interest Tourism Resources

The assessment of special-interest tourism resources was conducted in all 307 reference squares. These resources were assessed based on eight criteria, i.e., the availability of hiking tourism resources, cycling tourism resources, backcountry skiing tourism resources, educational tourism resources, equestrian tourism resources, kayaking tourism resources, tourist accommodation, and transport accessibility in the studied municipality. The number of points awarded to each group of special-interest tourism resources based on the applied criteria is presented in File S1. The results were used to identify five types of areas with different availability of special-interest tourism resources (

Table 6. Results of the assessment of special-interest tourism resources.

Group of Resources	Availability of Special-Interest Tourism Resources	Number of Points	Number of Fields	Percentage Share
A	Areas with very high availability of special-interest tourism resources	>24	13	4.2
B	Areas with high availability of special-interest tourism resources	19–24	20	6.5
C	Areas with considerable availability of special-interest tourism resources	13–18	51	16.6
D	Areas with moderate availability of special-interest tourism resources	7–12	76	24.8
E	Areas with low availability of special-interest tourism resources	1–6	64	20.9
Areas without special-interest tourism resources			83	27.0
Total			307	100

), and the spatial distribution of these areas in Dobre Miasto municipality is shown in Figure 3.

Based on the results of the conducted assessment, special-interest tourism resources were identified in 224 reference squares. The availability of special-interest tourism resources was determined as very high in 13 fields, high in 20 fields, considerable in 51 fields, moderate in 76 fields, and low in 64 fields. Special-interest tourism resources were not identified in 83 reference squares corresponding to 27.0% of the municipality’s total area.

The analysis revealed that areas with a very high availability of special-interest tourism resources accounted for only 4.2% of the total number of reference squares. These areas were characterized by a large number of tourist trails (hiking, cycling, and kayaking trails), numerous tourist accommodation options, and high transport accessibility. The highest availability of special-interest tourism resources was noted in areas such as Smolajny, Głotowo, Swobodna, and downtown Dobre Miasto, which received the highest scores in this respect (including for equestrian trails and artefacts of material culture).

Reference squares characterized by a high availability of special-interest tourism resources covered 6.5% of the municipality’s total area, and they were localized mainly along the Copernicus Trail and the kayaking trail on the Łyna River. These areas featured a limited number of accommodation options and were characterized by somewhat lower transport accessibility.

Areas with considerable availability of special-interest tourism resources formed the largest group of reference squares (16.6%). Most of these areas featured one or two tourist trails and dispersed accommodation options (including in agritourism farms in Orzechowo and Praslity). Despite lower accessibility, these areas have considerable potential for the development of active and educational tourism.

Overall, the areas with very high, high, and considerable availability of special-interest tourism resources accounted for 27.3% of all reference squares, which indicates that tourism infrastructure tends to be concentrated in specific parts of the studied municipality.

Areas with moderate (24.8%) and low (20.9%) availability of special-interest tourism resources were characterized by dispersed tourism infrastructure, limited accessibility, and low integration of local heritage values into tourism activities. Tourism infrastructure was highly fragmented in areas with low availability of special-interest tourism resources (local roads or unmarked trails), which underscores the urgent need for planning and functional interventions.

3.2. Assessment of Overall Tourism Attractiveness

According to the assumptions described in the research methodology, overall tourism attractiveness was evaluated based on partial scores in the assessments of natural resources, cultural resources, and special-interest tourism resources. The final result was computed by summing up the partial scores allocated to each reference square in each of the above assessments (File S2). Based on the total score, each reference square was assigned to one of the five tourism attractiveness classes (

Table 7. The results of the assessment of overall tourism attractiveness.

Class	Tourism Attractiveness	Number of Points	Number of Fields	Percentage Share
I	Areas with outstanding tourism attractiveness	12–13	4	1.3
II	Areas with high tourism attractiveness	9–11	29	9.4
III	Areas with considerable tourism attractiveness	6–8	116	37.8
IV	Areas with moderate tourism attractiveness	3–5	109	35.5
V	Areas with low tourism attractiveness	1–2	49	16.0
Total			307	100

). The results were used to identify areas with varied tourism attractiveness. The spatial distribution of the results, with a division into tourism attractiveness classes, is presented in Figure 4.

The assessment of overall tourism attractiveness supported the identification of four reference squares with outstanding tourism attractiveness, 29 squares with high tourism attractiveness, 116 squares with considerable tourism attractiveness, 109 squares with moderate tourism attractiveness, and 49 squares with low tourism attractiveness. These results were used to divide reference squares into five tourism attractiveness classes. Class I (outstanding tourism attractiveness) consisted of only four reference squares (1.3% of the total) characterized by harmonious forest landscapes or forest and agricultural landscapes as well as a very high availability of natural, cultural, and special-interest tourism resources. These areas included the Łyna River valley near Smolajny, historical urban architecture, Warmia Calvary in Głotowo, and the part of Lake Limajno with historical settlements in the vicinity. All of these sites are located in Protected Landscape Areas (several sites are part of the Natura 2000 network) with dedicated tourism infrastructure.

Class II (high tourism attractiveness) was composed of 29 reference squares (9.4%) located mainly along the Łyna River valley. These areas abound in forests, water bodies, historical sites, and tourist amenities, including guesthouses and agritourism farms. These sites have different nature conservation designations, and they feature hiking, cycling, and kayaking trails.

Class III (considerable tourism attractiveness) was the largest group of 116 reference squares (37.8%). These areas are characterized by forest and agricultural landscapes with a mosaic arrangement of meadows, fields, and forests, as well as small bodies of water. Some class III areas belong to the Natura 2000 network and Nature and Landscape Complexes. These areas feature recreational infrastructure and tourist accommodation.

Class IV and V areas were characterized by moderate and low tourism attractiveness, respectively. A total of 109 reference squares were allocated to class IV (35.5%), which indicates that a similar number of areas in the studied municipality belonged to classes III and IV. The vast majority of class IV areas were characterized by diverse plant communities, ranging from forest and meadow vegetation to aquatic plants colonizing river valleys.

Class V (areas with a total score of 1 or 2 points) consisted of 49 reference squares with low overall tourism attractiveness. These areas are largely devoid of interesting sites or landscapes and attract little tourist interest. They consist of arable land, moist meadows, small in-field ponds, and isolated groups of trees and settlements. Only three class V areas had a nature conservation designation (Protected Landscape Area of Middle Łyna River Valley).

The assessment of overall tourism attractiveness demonstrated that areas with outstanding, high, and considerable tourism attractiveness occupied 149 reference squares, i.e., 48.5% of their total number. These areas have a high potential for the development of nature and special-interest tourism, and they coexist with areas of high cultural value.

A composite assessment of all resources in the urban–rural municipality of Dobre Miasto could play an important role in the final evaluation of the analyzed areas’ suitability for various types of land use. The overall score represents relative rather than absolute values of the evaluated resources, and these values were used to compare and classify the analyzed areas based on quantitative criteria.

4. Discussion

A case study of the tourism potential of Dobre Miasto municipality, which relies mainly on natural assets (Łyna River, lakes, Wichrowo forest) and cultural resources (historical monuments, Warmia Calvary, membership in the Cittaslow network) was described in the article. The study demonstrated that the modernization of tourism infrastructure and spatial planning should be aligned with sustainable development principles. These observations are consistent with the results of published studies, which have shown that tourism development policies should be integrated with landscape and heritage protection [51,52].

The need to protect and actively shape the surrounding landscape has become a frequent topic of public debate. Polish citizens are increasingly aware that environmental degradation affects the quality of life and causes both mental and physical discomfort [29,35]. As a result, the adverse effects of unsustainable economic growth and inadequate land management practices are increasingly recognized.

The European Landscape Convention, ratified by Poland in 2004, is the only international treaty that is entirely dedicated to the protection and management of landscapes that are valuable sites of European cultural heritage. In Poland, the Act of 24 April 2015 amending selected legal acts in response to the reinforcement of legal instruments for landscape protection [53] was an important achievement aiming to curtail adverse landscape changes. This project also contributes to the implementation of the European Landscape Convention [54], whose provisions are still rarely applied to introduce good landscape management practices in Poland.

Poland could rely on the experience of countries that recognize the importance of landscapes and effectively manage their land resources. Natural and cultural landscapes that reflect local traditions attract tourists, and their potential can be harnessed to drive local development [55]. However, overtourism can pose a threat to these resources. Therefore, landscape experts should search for solutions that create a balance between human needs and the natural environment without compromising economic growth. The authorities responsible for nature conservation should make every effort to preserve the unique character of natural resources. To achieve this goal, new protected areas should be created, and the existing areas should be monitored and maintained in good condition. The digitalization of heritage and cultural resources could play a key role in this context. Analog cultural assets are being converted into digital formats to protect valuable archival collections and provide the public with online access to these resources. Digitalization is an effective solution for preserving heritage resources that are at risk of damage [56].

The proposed approach considers the critical need to protect the cultural and natural landscape, and it aligns with the provisions of the European Landscape Convention [54]. In areas that are highly attractive tourist destinations, land-use plans should account for the local context and for the principles of sustainable development. According to the literature, tourist traffic should be systematically monitored, and ecotourism and responsible tourism models should be implemented to reduce tourism pressure and protect the landscape [13,14,24,25]. The present study demonstrated that current planning practices should be revised to prevent further visual and functional degradation of the local landscape. To implement good landscape management practices, Poland can rely on the experiences of countries such as Austria [57], Switzerland [58], and Italy [59], where rural tourism is integrated into local strategies for landscape and heritage protection [60,61].

The results of the assessments of natural, cultural, and special-interest tourism resources have many potential applications. They can be used not only in planning documents (urban planning policies and local zoning plans) but also in the process of preparing local strategies for tourism development and rural revival. Assessments of the tourism attractiveness of reference squares provide important information for identifying the key infrastructure needs and promoting selected destinations. The results of the present study can also support Local Action Groups (such as Warmiński Zakątek), including as part of the LEADER program, to stimulate grassroots initiatives and integrate rural communities in the pursuit of eco-friendly tourism solutions.

This study highlights the importance of the European Union’s current priorities, including the European Green Deal, which continues to stir considerable controversy in Poland, the cohesion policy, and community-led local development (CLLD). The study recognizes the need to protect biological diversity, landscape, and cultural heritage, and these goals have been widely recognized in the EU’s strategies concerning agriculture, tourism, and rural digitization [30,32]. The significance of local recreational activities and greater connection with nature increased during and after the COVID-19 pandemic [39], which further underscores the importance of the study and its relevance for local governments and tour operators.

Although no centralized visitor tracking system exists for the Dobre Miasto municipality, local data collected by the tourism office and regional statistical reports indicate a steady increase in tourist visits, particularly in areas identified in this study as having high or outstanding tourism attractiveness. This correspondence between observed tourist flows and our assessment confirms the validity of the methodology and the practical relevance of the findings.

5. Conclusions

Rural tourism is a fast-growing segment of the tourism market, and it should be responsibly managed to promote local development and nature conservation, protect cultural heritage, and strengthen local identity. The study revealed that the municipality of Dobre Miasto has considerable potential for rural tourism development, which should be harnessed through sustainable land-use planning, local community participation, and the promotion of cultural heritage.

The assessment of special-interest tourism resources revealed that areas with very high, high, and considerable availability of tourism resources cover 27.3% of the municipality’s territory, which points to relatively low availability of tourism infrastructure. Most of the analyzed areas were characterized by moderate (24.8%) and low (20.9%) availability of special-interest tourism resources, whereas 27% of the examined areas were devoid of these resources.

The overall tourism attractiveness of Dobre Miasto was evaluated by summing up partial scores in the assessments of natural, cultural, and special-interest tourism resources, and the results were used to identify areas with varied appeal for visitors. Areas with outstanding, high, and considerable tourism attractiveness occupied 149 reference squares, i.e., 48.5% of their total number. These areas have a high potential for the development of nature and special-interest tourism, and their appeal is enhanced by areas of high cultural value. The results of the presented assessment can guide the development of tourism infrastructure in a manner that preserves the natural and cultural assets of the studied municipality.

The existing tourist amenities in Dobre Miasto, including agritourism farms, are not sufficiently attractive for tourists. The municipality has unique natural and cultural resources that can generate additional income for rural residents, but these assets are not sufficiently utilized. The results of the present study can inform decision-making processes to promote effective land-use management and introduce the required changes. Tourism infrastructure should be modernized, expanded, and adapted to the needs of new projects. At the same time, tourism promotion programs should be rationally planned and implemented, and tourist traffic should be skillfully managed in line with sustainable development principles. Tourism development may contribute to the activation of local communities.

Fragmented and relatively ineffective landscape protection measures lead to the loss of aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Therefore, to strengthen landscape protection, close cooperation is required between interdisciplinary teams of landscape experts; the regulations concerning landscape protection and land-use planning should also be modified to ensure greater cohesion with the provisions of the European Landscape Convention.

The present study is a continuation of the authors’ previous research on the transformation of cultural landscapes and an appraisal of the region’s natural assets. The observations made in partial assessments were summarized to produce composite results with practical applications. The cartographic precision of the conducted analysis, combined with the assessment of special-interest tourism resources, provides practical guidelines for spatial planning at the local level.

The formulated conclusions can inform future research and planning efforts to promote the sustainable development and management of historical regions and lake districts and to preserve their natural value without compromising the well-being of local communities.

Despite the comprehensive nature of the spatial analysis, the present study has several limitations. Firstly, the research focuses exclusively on the municipality of Dobre Miasto, which limits the generalizability of the findings to other regions. Secondly, the analysis is primarily based on expert assessments and spatial data, with limited direct input from local residents. Moreover, the study does not account for seasonal variations in tourist activity, which may influence the actual environmental and social pressures in the area. Future research should incorporate local community perspectives and longitudinal data to deepen the understanding of tourism dynamics and enhance the practical relevance of the proposed recommendations.