The aims of the studies were: to identify and evaluate the conditions propitious for the development of agritourism in the Lower Silesia Province, to analyze the possibilities of promoting countryside recreation, and to determine the factors and mechanisms conducive to agritourism development. The research comprised internal conditions (strengths and weaknesses of particular regions) and external conditions (opportunities and threats), as well as regional and local planning as instruments of agritourism development. The Lower Silesia Province, excluding the towns that had been separated, was evaluated employing the point-by-point method. An analysis of the internal conditions resulted in a separate evaluation of natural-anthropogenic and economic-social resources. This provided a basis for selecting 65 communes which qualify as areas of agritourism development. Among the external conditions of agricultural development, the economic situation and legal aspects were of primary importance. In order to promote countryside recreation, the services offered should be continuously improved and diversified. We should also aim at economic revival of communes, adapt the area to the tourists’ needs and pursue the spatial policy adopted in planning documents.

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