Kierunki przemian regionów turystyki wypoczynkowej w warunkach kryzysu gospodarczego na przykładzie Algarve w Portugalii

Abstract The phenomenon of spatial concentration of tourist activity leads directly to the emerging of tourist regions understood as spatial units with a dominant function of tourism. The aftermath of a crisis is most visible in the areas of tourist reception and take the form of a decreased tourist activity, which leads to lower income of companies working in the tourist industry. Algarve is a region of leisure tourism characterized by a well-developed tourism infrastructure and transportation availability (by air and land). The area is one of the biggest leisure regions of Portugal and a holiday destination for citizens of countries such as Germany or the UK. The vicinity of Spain causes the two countries to compete for their clients in the conditions of changing economical trends. The main goal of this case study is the analysis of the influence of the economic crisis on the volume of tourist activity 24 Malgorzata Bajgier-Kowalska, Renata Rettinger in the Northern part of Portugal and the attempt at evaluating actions taken to decrease or eliminate the results of that crisis. The article presents a variety of organizational solutions aiming at increasing the tourist activity. Examples of such actions include reducing seasonal fluctuations or product and process innovation which could considerably lower the costs of running a tourism-focused company. One of the possible ways of limiting the results of world crisis is diversifying the tourist product basing on the existing tourist potential. This may result in the growth of tourist activity, due to attracting new clients.