THE IMPACT OF AIR QUALITY AND METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS INCLUDING VISIBILITY ON TOURISM: THE CASE OF ZAKOPANE (POLAND)

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of air pollution and meteorological conditions
on visibility in Zakopane, the most popular tourist destination in southern Poland. To achieve
this objective, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and random forests were
used. In addition, an analysis was performed of the occurrence of episodes of elevated pollutant
concentrations and basic statistical characteristics of visibility, meteorological conditions and air
pollution. Meteorological parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, total precipitation, wind
speed, atmospheric pressure and visibility) and concentrations of air pollutants; particulate matter
(PM₁₀) and gaseous pollutants (SO₂, NO₂) were recorded from 2010 to 2019. The data came from
a monitoring station located in Zakopane-MpZakopaSien. It was found that high concentrations
of air pollutants SO₂ and PM₁₀, along with relative humidity (RH), were the most important
parameters affecting visibility limitation in Zakopane. Concentrations and indirectly also visibility
were largely influenced by increased automobile traffic due to tourist activity, as well as emissions
from apartment/building heating (combustion of various fuels). Understanding the relationship
between air pollutant concentrations, meteorological conditions and visibility is a prerequisite and the basis for the scientific formulation of air pollution prevention and control policies in places
where monitoring is particularly important.

