Produkt turystyczny

Abstract

The authors start their article with consideration of S. Medlik’s definition [Medlik 1995], who verified tour product to be in a strict sense (all what is bought separately or in a form of a certain package of services) and in a large sense (all what was experienced by tourists from the moment of leaving homes to the moment of getting back). The tourist product in a strict sense is a very complicated form, comprising numerous, various elements: both material goods (including amenities) and immaterial values or services. All these elements should be linked by one main idea (an idea of a product), and also by an adequate and efficient organisation (logistic security, professional „production”, selling etc.). The quality of such meant tourist product depends mainly on its organiser (i.e. professionalism, reliability, taking care of quality of services etc.). However, from the point of view of a buyer all events occurring during his stay away from home are a tourist product. Of equal importance as „a core” of a product (i.e. purchased package of values and services) are also its environment, weather during holidays, new acquaintances made while travelling, general atmo-sphere of a trip, feelings of participants, new experiences gained, and the image of the beauty spot. A touroperator does not have any influence on many elements of a tourist product in a large sense. He may only reduce the risk of unfavourable events by e.g. organising a rest in warm countries, choosing members of a group according to a certain key, providing a tour guide who is bound to take care of tourists properly. Taking into consideration the character of tourist products, 2 main groups were distinguished: simple products and compound products.