Polish-Lithuanian Tourist Cross-Border Functional Area – a new concept for the development of a cross-border tourist destination

Abstract

The development of tourist function in cross-border areas requires appropriate instruments supporting cross-border cooperation. One such instrument is the Cross-Border Functional Area (CBFA). This paper presents pioneering works leading to the creation of the Tourist Cross-Border Functional Area (TCBFA) in the Lithuanian – Polish borderland. Its main aim is to answer the question whether the CBFA instrument is applicable in the development of cross-border tourist destinations, and if so, to what extent. An additional goal is to identify the attributes of a TCBFA on the example of the Lithuanian – Polish borderland. The study debates the relevance of the CBFA in the development of a cross-border tourist destination. It shows that establishing a flexible destination management structure enables the intensification of cooperation between key stakeholders across the border, the implementation of cross-border projects and the promotion of tourist products.