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

Abstract

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.