The potential of the Sudetes Mountains for the development of geotouristic products

The Sudetes Mts. have a large potential where geotourism can develop, because of their most diverse geological structure and landforms in Poland. It is essential to perform a complete diagnosis of the geotouristic potential within this region. Up until now, different kinds of activities were developed in this region associated with geotourism, such as the establishment of associations, creation of educational footpaths, thematic maps, flyers, educational centers and a geopark. The aim of this paper is to present the potential of the Sudetes Mountains as geotouristic products. “First-rate” regions can be distinguished with defined offers. Thanks to these offers, a trans-border geotourist product network can be created. Key word: geotourism, geotourist product, geotourist region, Su-


Introduction
Tourism is a global phenomenon and is developing very intensively, growing from year to year.Along with this growth, the motives of tourism are more and more different.These motives correspond with re-discovering famous regions based on "new subjects" and exploring unknown regions.
More specialist tourist preferences develop new knowledge and educational functions of an area with new technologies and more active visiting forms.This corresponds to a trend.Accordingly, tourism has evolved from the traditional "3 x S" (Sea, Sun, Sand) to "3 x E" (Entertainment, Excitement, Education).The desire to enjoy new experiences, feel unique emotions and take certain actions prevails now.The destination marketing will be broadly oriented towards this (Tourism 2020…, 2001.
Relatively recent types of tourism include geotourism, which corresponds to the "3 x E" trends.The Sudety Mts. is a highly attractive region for geotourism because of its diverse geological structure, types of landforms and numerous mining sites.This region contains different types of natural and cultural mountain landscapes.
The aim of this paper is to present the potential of the Sudetes Mountains related to the creation of geotourist products.
"First-rate" regions can be distinguished within the Sudetes They provide defined offers, which can create a trans--border geotourism product network.
"Geotourism" was defined for the first time by Hose (1995), who emphasized the difference between leisure tourism, directed towards recreation and psychophysical regeneration, and the cognitive tourism, directed towards gaining the knowledge of the visited destinations."A form of natural area tourism that specifically focuses on landscape and geology.It promotes tourism of geosites and the conservation of geo-diversity and an understanding of Earth sciences through appreciation and learning.This is achieved through independent visits to geological features, use of geo-trails and viewing points, guided tours, geo-activities and patronage of geosite visitor centers" (Newsome, Dowling, 2010).
"The provision of interpretive and service facilities to enable tourists to acquire knowledge and understanding of the geology and geomorphology of a site (including its

The potential of the Sudetes Mountains for the development of geotouristic products
Potencjał regionu Sudetów w kreowaniu produktów geoturystycznych

Mateusz Rogowski
Adam Mickiewicz University,Poznań,Tourism and Recreation Department,ul. Dzięgielowa 27, Abstract: The Sudetes Mts. have a large potential where geotourism can develop, because of their most diverse geological structure and landforms in Poland.It is essential to perform a complete diagnosis of the geotouristic potential within this region.Up until now, different kinds of activities were developed in this region associated with geotourism, such as the establishment of associations, creation of educational footpaths, thematic maps, flyers, educational centers and a geopark.The aim of this paper is to present the potential of the Sudetes Mountains as geotouristic products."First-rate" regions can be distinguished with defined offers.Thanks to these offers, a trans-border geotourist product network can be created.Key word: geotourism, geotourist product, geotourist region, Sudetes Mts.
"Geo-" in geotourism is connected to geology, geomorphology and landscape natural features.Natural heritage is related to geodiversity, which is commonly understood as diversification of abiotic elements of the natural environment, i.e. geological structures, landforms, soil types, ground-and surface waters, climate and natural processes (Gray, 2004;Kozłowski et al., 2004).Geosites are geotouristic destinations, where geological and geomorphological forms and processes can be admired (Migoń, 2012a).The landscape features have scenic values, which help in understanding and interpreting geological and geomorphological phenomena and can be photographed and admired.For these reasons, Newsome and Dowling (2010) indicate a strong connection between "geotourism" and "landscape tourism" ("turystyka krajobrazowa" of Andrejczuk, 2010).According to Mateo--Rodriguez ( 2003) "landscape tourism" is a high-level product, which is prepared for discovering a landscape, field watching and understanding natural and cultural features with a link to sustainable development.

Geotouristic product as a new regional offer
Touristic product in its broad sense is a combination of what tourists do and the assets, devices and services which they use for this purpose (Medlik, 1995).A similar view is presented by Kaczmarek et al. (2010), who define the touristic product as a "set of utilities related to touristic trips, i.e. touristic goods and services available on the market, enabling people to plan a journey, travel and collect experiences".
The touristic product in a strict sense is a very complicated item, comprising numerous and various elements: both material (including amenities) and immaterial goods, values and services.All these elements should be linked by one main idea (i.e. an idea of a product), and also by an adequate and efficient organization providing logistic security, professional "production", selling etc.The touristic product depends mainly on its organizer (i.e., their professionalism, reliability, quality of services etc.) (Kaczmarek et al., 2010).
The geotouristic product is defined by several authors.According to Farsani et al. (2012) and Migoń (2012a) it is created and purchased by man and; it is sustainable product, which integrates traditional products with new concepts and interpretations, it stimulates the local economy and promotes geotouristic destinations, and it is an educational and protective tool, which uses its geological attraction.
In the literature, a geoproduct is presented as the core of the geotouristic product.(Dryglas, Miśkiewicz, 2014).Equally important to "a core" of a product (i.e.purchased package of values and services) are its environment, weather during holidays, new acquaintances made while travelling, general atmosphere of a trip, feelings of participants, new experiences gained, and the image of the beauty spot.
A geotouristic product is a composition of a geo-product and the concept of tourism.Thus, geotouristic products are tangible and intangible geo-products developed on the basis of abiotic nature, co-created (knowledge and craft) and experienced in connection with travel outside the place of residence, both before travel, during its duration, as well as during the geotourist's stay and after his return, enabling the fulfillment of geotouristic purposes (Dryglas, Miśkiewicz, 2014).
A geotouristic product is a very complex issue that cannot be identified only with the supply of services and geotouristic attractions gathered in the investigated area.In order to talk about the geotouristic product, elements of geotouristic supply should be subordinated to the common concept aiming to satisfy the needs of tourists and implemented by one of the five items: package geo-tour organizers, local self-government, manufacturers of individual geotouristic products, local community and the tourists themselves (Dryglas, 2012).
Universal characteristics of the touristic product: -the essence of a touristic product -comprises the basic needs of tourists (e.g. the need for rest, learning something new strictly connected with the motives of travelling), -real (tangible) product -is an actual market offer stating what the client gets for his money, it comprises all standard elements of a tour package enabling the realization of the essence of a touristic product (fulfilling tourists' need), -extended product (enriched, enlarged, improved) -contains additional services included in a tour offered, increasing its attractiveness (Kaczmarek et al., 2010).
The principal objective of geotourism is the transformation of geological characteristics of a region into a touristic product.This objective can be achieved by the following assignments: − a popularization -promotion and presentation of geological heritage with the application of various media techniques, − education -implementation of Earth sciences at all levels of teaching, − research and development -preparation of research methods, tools and techniques, − protection -security and conservation of geosites by proper management, − design -preparation of geosites as tourist destinations, − organization -preparation and guidance of geotouristic trips, meetings, conferences, etc., − training -preparation of the personnel for geotouristic services (Miśkiewicz et al., 2007).
Within the geotouristic product types, we can distinguish simple and complex geo-products that pass into and overlap each other in order to create different categories having material and immaterial content.From the hierarchical structure of geo-products defined by Dryglas and Miśkiewicz (2014) in the Sudetes we can distinguish the following: -a place -the first-rate subregions which embrace all of the above types of geo-products, -a trail -geo-educational pedestrian trails, auto-route trail, -a service -geotouristic guided trips, -an entity -mining museums and geo-centers, -an object -printed materials, geo-guidebooks and geomaps (Tab.1).The geotouristic potential of Sudetes Mts.
The Sudetes is a mountain range in Central Europe and an area of remarkable geodiversity.In recent years, the area has been promoted as a geotouristic destination.Various initiatives were aimed at better understanding of its geoheritage (Migoń, 2014a).All Sudetes Mts.cross-border regions have the possibilities for geotouristic development, but two areas are cradles of local nature-based tourism.These are the granite massif of the Karkonosze Mts., in the west, and the sandstone stepped plateau of Broumov Highland and Stołowe Mountains, in the central part of the Sudetes (Migoń, 2014a).After initial review, two types of regions with the potential touristic development can be distinguished: -the "first-rate" regions with highest geotouristic values and best developed infrastructure, leaders of geoturism in the Sudetes Mts.(Karkonosze Mts., Kaczawskie Mts. and Kaczawa Upland, Stołowe Mts., with a Broumov Highland), -the "second-rate" regions with a high potential and poor geo touristic recognition (Kamienne Mts., Wałbrzyskie Mts., Śnieżnik Massif, High Jesenik, Opawskie Mts., Łużyckie Mts.) (Rogowski, 2014).
The values, with potential to enable the creation of geotouristic product in the Sudetes region are: -geotouristic values -abiotic geological and geomorphological features, mining sites and various subtypes of cultural landscapes; these values were described and protected against degradation and weeds over-growth; -geotouristic infrastructure -makes available and protects geotouristic values (educational paths with boards, observation points, footbridges, ladders and barriers); -the idea, connected with creating a geotouristic yearly destination image of the Sudetes Mts. with large geodiversity and different types of cultural landscape and easy accessibility; -consolidation of activities and good organization into a cohesive, recognizable and positive image, to follow potential geotourists' needs The cooperation of various touristic services, organizations and higher education institutions creating a network and establishing a cluster.
All indicated above geoproducts can be defined in the Sudety Mts.

A geotouristic product -a place
The Karkonosze Mountains The Karkonosze Mts. is the highest and largest range in the Sudetes.It is a mountainous region that is among the most valuable landscapes and natural habitats of Central Europe.This range is protected by the Bilateral Biosphere Reserve Karkonosze/Krkonoše UNESCO/MaB Polish and Czech Karkonosze National Park.The Certificate of a National Geopark was awarded in 2010 (Knapik, Migoń, 2010).
The Karkonosze Mts.geodiversity includes a variety of geo logical, mineralogical and geomorphological phenomena, mining remnants and cultural landscapes.Many of the natural phenomena, according to Knapik et al. (2011) make the Karkonosze Mountains an exceptional area in Poland, and of outstanding value within Europe.,This range represents (Štursa, 2013) a Hercynian middle-mountains landscape.The value of abiotic nature is promoted through multiple activities in the field of geotourism and ecological education, including construction of an extensive network of geosites, marked tourist paths, and educational trails with information boards.Further promotion of geodiversity of the Karkonosze is carried out in cooperation with the adjacent Krkonošský narodní park on the Czech side of the mountains, aimed at the establishment of the bilateral Polish-Czech Geopark Krkonoše/Karkonosze (www 1), within the framework of the European Geopark Network (Knapik et al., 2011).The aesthetic values were categorized by Wyrzykowski et al. (1991), as a first class landscape with greatest visual values connected with relief and land cover.
The geotouristic infrastructure of the Karkonosze Mts.contains educational centers, educational paths, guidebooks, maps and geotouristic trips and workshops.The Centre of Ecological Education in the Karkonosze National Park (Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej Karkonoskiego Parku Narodowego) in Szklarska Poręba and permanent ecological expositions in Vrchlabi were established.They present the abiotic nature of the Karkonosze Mts.Interactive presentations show among other things postglacial kettles, peat bogs and natural phenomena and the influence of humans on the mountains The network of 13 educational paths with panels present various geotouristic issues like geological, mineralogical and geomorphological features and post-glacial transformation of mountain relief in the Karkonosze Mts and around Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba.
The park staff offers geotouristic trips and workshops for every tourist, mainly for school groups.The geotouristic guidebook by Knapik (2008) , an atlas (Atlas Georóżnorod-ność…, 2011) and a book about the Karkonosze landscape and rocks (Migoń, 2012b) were published.The Polish and Czech geoparks, national parks with common logo, identity and park staff with various cooperation levels are examples of integration.Good identification of this region can serve as attribute useful in creating a cohesive geotouristic product.In the future, the Karkonosze Mts., a cross-border geotourism product will be a place with the name Postglacial Land of Liczyrzepa (Polodowcowa Kraina Liczyrzepy), which will show the existing Pleistocene mountain glacier in the highest part of the Sudetes Mts.Thanks to this product, the Karkonosze Mts. will become the best recognized region in the Hercynian mountain system in Europe (Figs 1, 2).

The Land of Extinct Volcanoes
The Kaczawskie Mts. and Kaczawa Foothills are parts of the West Sudetes Mts., rich in geoheritage properties.Geodiversity of this area includes geological, mineralogical and geomorphological features connected to volcanism in the Sudetes, gold-mining and quarry remnants and cultural landscapes.The aesthetic values were categorized by Wyrzykowski et al. (1991) as second class landscapes, with the greatest visual values connected to relief and land cover.According to Pijet- Migoń and Migoń (2009), this geo diversity reveals long geological history, and a variety of rocks of different age and origin and landforms.Among them, vestiges of ancient volcanism are widespread, including ones from the latest phase of volcanism in the Sudetes, dated back to the middle Cenozoic.Collectively, they provide insight into the geological evolution of the area and are very important scientifically (www 2).However, many also possess outstanding scenic qualities.Some exhibit forms of distinctive conical and domed hills, which are characteristic landmarks of the regional landscape (e.g.volcanic plug Ostrzyca or Grodziec).
In others, natural processes or quarrying have exposed the internal structure of a volcanic body, particularly the regular columnar jointing (e.g.Ostrzyca, Wilcza Góra, Czartowska Skała) (Pijet- Migoń, Migoń, 2009).Most valuable areas are covered with geo logical and landscape reserves and the Landscape Park "Chełmy".
In a recent project aimed at economic development of the area and carried out since 2004 by the Kaczawa Partnership (Partnerstwo Kaczawskie), the phrase "In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes" has been chosen as a label, through which the region would be identified.Cooperation between participants is developing, and finally a cluster can be established.Thanks to this initiative, an ecomuseum, workshops and geotourism trips were created.The most significant initiative is The Sudecka Education Centre in Dobków (Sudecka Zagroda Edukacyjna), which will be focused on volcanic phenomena and cultural landscape of the Sudetes Mts.
The geotourism potential of The Land of Extinct Volcanoes (Kraina Wygasłych Wulkanów) is being used in various initiatives to strengthen the tourist offer on the international tourism market.This region can be developed as a geotouristic product -a place, which will become one of the recognized volcanic areas in Central Europe (Figs 3,4).

The Stołowe Mts.
The Stołowe Mts. is one of the most famous touristic subregions in the Sudetes Mts., located along the Polish-Czech border.This region is a distinctive landscape unit in the central part of the mountain range of the Sudetes, which forms an extended tract of diverse relief, about 300 x 80 km in dimension, occuring along the north-eastern rim of the Bohemian Massif in Central Europe (Migoń, 2012c).Three horizontal rocky layers build these mountains: -850-919 m -the highest bastions built of upper joint sandstones -Szczeliniec Wielki, Szczeliniec Mały, Skalniak and Narożnik, -500-800 m -middle plateau of Karłów and Łężyce, covered by marls, -400-500 m -the lowest level in the south-eastern part.
The geoheritage and its development has determined some sub-regions: Adršpašsko-Teplické rocks and Ostaš, Broumovské Stěny, Błędne Skały and Szczeliniec Wielki.Most valuable areas are located within the national park, in natural reserves and the protected landscape area.The aesthetic values were categorized by Wyrzykowski et al. (1991) as a first class landscape, with the greatest visual values including relief and land cover.The Stołowe Mts.geodiversity includes geomorphological features of major and minor landforms in the sandstone landscape.These geovalues were described in two guidebooks by Wojewoda (2011) and Wojewoda ed. (2013), and in a geological-tourist map by Cech and Gawlikowska (1999) and Wojewoda (2013).In the Czech part, an initiative Broumovsko Geopark was created, and for its needs, 44 geosites were described (www 4).
The geotourist infrastructure composes of 9 educational paths with educational panels, a guidebook of Geoattractions of the Stolowe Mts. and a map and educational center Geopark Vnitrosudetská pánev -Vižňov u Muziměstí mainly destined for kids (www 5).
The Stołowe Mts.region will become a geoturistic product despite the lack of a common initiative.There are no cross-border coordination activities.On the Polish part, there is a national park.On the Czech part, a partnership Broumovsko Geopark exists.There is a chance for the Stołowe Mts.cross-border region to become the most recognized sandstone landscape region in Central Europe (Figs 5,6,7,8).

The Śnieżnik Massif
Karst geotouristic values of the Śnieżnik Massif are unique and valuable.The geotourism attraction was described by Koszela and Marek (2013).Staszek (2014) and focused on the Kleśnica Valley, where 12 geosites were marked.Many valuable geological objects, as well as remnants of ancient mining, constituting valuable cultural-historical legacy are located in the area of the discussed valley.These objects include the Bear Cave, marble quarry, Marianna Spring, spoilheap, Museum of the Earth, mine of uranium and "Gracious Stone" lime kiln (Koszela, Marek, 2013).The aesthetic values were categorized by Wyrzykowski et al. (1991)

The Wałbrzych Geotourist Area
This area is composed of the Kamienne Mts., the Wałbrzyskie Mts., the Sowie Mts., the Wałbrzyskie Foothills, the Kamienna Góra Basin and was presented by Ihnatowicz et al. (2011).These authors made an inventory of 149 geotopes located in the Walbrzych Geotourist Area and described the results of valorization.These geotopes have been selected and evaluated.They represent 6 geological themessedimentology, volcanism, metamorphism, geomorphology, hydrogeology, quaternary geology.
These themes show the most attractive types of the geotouristic offer: -volcanism phenomena and landforms in the Suche and the Wałbrzyskie Mts., -hydrogeological phenomena -gorges and ravines in the Wałbrzych Geotourist Area -a coal deposit and mines in the Wałbrzyskie Mts.

Sudetes Georoute
The international project Sudetes Georoute was created by the Lower Silesia Branch of the Polish Geological Institute .-NationalResearch Institute and Czech Geological Survey in 2013.It was founded by the Operational Programme for the Czech Republic -Republic of Poland Cross-Border Cooperation 2007-2013.The project is aimed at the creation of an attractive geotouristic route, 600 km long, within The results of geological and landscape studies along this route was presented in three parts: West Sudetic Geostrada (Łodziński et al., 2009), Central Sudetic Geostrada (Bartuś et al., 2009) and Eastern Sudetic Geostrada (Słomka et al., 2009).The project provided a geological-tourist guidebook, 21 information boards, 21 information leaflets and a website www.geostrada.eu(www 7).This route measures over 600 km and has 300 viewing points.It is a cross-border geotourist project -a trail according to Kaczmarek et al. (2010), constructed of a series of places or sites bound by a theme and forming a route.In the pyramid of tourist products, the route represents the highest level of integration.This group includes products that require organizational integration (unification of elementary products) and have particular localization in the geographic space (Stasiak, 2006).The Sudetes Georoute idea is a geotourism subject with geological and geomorphological values, with the possibility to visit by car, bike and occasionally on foot and with educational, scien tific and aesthetic motives of tourist activity.
For the sake of specialist language used in the guidebook, the Sudetes Georoute is actually dedicated mainly to geologists, geomorphologists and well prepared Sudetes fans.It is certain, that an offer should be prepared for awider group of geotourists and landscape tourists.A lack of analysis of the demand for the Sudetes Georoute and geotourism in the Sudetes Mts.leads to the lack of a geotourist offer (Fig. 13).
The potential of the Sudetes Mountains for the development of geotouristic products Fig. 13.The structure of a geotourist potential product in the Sudetes Georoute (own compilation) • Struktura potencjalnego produktu geoturystycznego Geostrady Sudeckiej (opracowanie własne)

Potential product of the trail of the mineral spring
Since a few centuries ago, several dozen health resorts in the Sudetes Mts. are in operation.A the base of their activity, various mineral springs, one containing essential elements of inanimate nature, are distinguished (www 8).They belong to a very important group of geotouristic objects.For many years, according to Marszałek et al. (2008), spring water has been used for drinking purposes, and also very often as medicinal water, with regard to its specific chemical composition and physicalor pharmaco-dynamic properties.Health resorts and spas have been found in the place of the occurrence of mineral springs.In the Sudetes Mts., well-known springs of mineral and thermal water occur, recognized as medicinal water.
The tourist product of a health resort consists of elements, on the one hand, delivered by the destination and on the other hand, by subjects influencing formation, development and management of the health resort.The elements of the touristic product of a health resort are dependent on the activities undertaken by public, private and non-profit sectors.Among the groups responsible for shaping the tourist products of a health resort, local society and tourists or patients should be mentioned (Dryglas, 2012).
At present, 9 health resorts on the Polish part and 8 on the Czech part exist in the Sudetes Mts (www 8; www 9).Every resort has various offers, based on mineral and thermal spring and peloids.Cooperation between these resorts in creating a coherent offer, promotion and brand has begun some years ago.Joint action of every Sudetes health resort strengthens their position on the European touristic market.

Potential product of underground touristic routes
Based on the distribution of natural resources, mining sites and their potential as well as actual use in Geotourism, Nita and Myga-Piątek ( 2014) selected 20 actual and potential geotouristic regions in Poland.These regions were divided into three basic categories based on their attractiveness.Lower Silesia, especially the Sudetes Mts., is a first class region with international importance and several large exploitation and post-exploitation objects.
Currently 13 underground tourist routes located in the Sudetes Mts. will make a touristic product -a trail.This consists of 5 caves and 8 mining objects.There are Niedźwiedzia cave, Radochowska cave, Bozkovské dolomitové cave, Na Pomezí cave, Na Špičáku cave gold mines in Złotoryja and Złoty Stok, coal mines in Nowa Ruda, Wałbrzych with Old Mine Science and Art Centre (Stara Kopalnia -Centrum Nauki i Sztuki), The Bohumir Mine in Žacléř, ore mine in Obří Dul under Śnieżka Mt. and uranium mines in Kletno and Kowary (www 10).The caves in the Czech Republic are managed by the Caves Administration of the Czech Republic (Správa jeskyní České republiky) with protection, management and promotion activities created for the brand.Every object will be a part of an underground route, with a common marking strategy and coherent image.The product infrastructure is composed of existing underground marked tourist trails, guided services, educational panels and storytelling.Niedźwiedzia Cave, gold mine in Złoty Stok, coal mine in Nowa Ruda and uranium mine in Kowary and Kletno represent the most developed tourist offers, and according to Góralewicz-Drozdowska et al. (2013), have the richest storytelling in Lower Silesia.
Additionally, some authors take notice of the geotouristic potential of the military complex constructed during World War II.The possibilities of geotouristic development on the example of Osówka complex, presented by Stach (2014), emphasize two values: geological -associated with precious objects of inanimate nature, and historical.In the Owl Mts., there are seven underground facilities under the Riese code name for the construction project of Nazi Germany.At present, three objects are tourist attractions with underground routes related to military tourism.But according to their geological features, this complex has also potential geotouristic values.
Thanks to most touristic recognized objects in association with the caves in the Czech Republic, a leading function of cross-border geotouristic product will be defined.Cooperation between all underground trail management will produce promotional campaigns, tourist information, common tickets, special offers, sightseeing tours and organization of events.
Furthermore, the product of the underground touristic routes can be divided into three sub-products: -"Sudetes caves" on Polish and Czech areas, -"Sudetes mines and tunnels" with plenty of mineral resources, aimed at industrial tourists, -"Military complexes in the Sudety Mts.", aimed at military tourists, with the Czechoslovakian defense fortifications from 1935-1938 named Benes Line.

Potential product of geotouristic pedestrian trails
In the first geotouristic region, 27 educational paths and trails exist.In other regions, there are more than ten other educational trails presenting geotouristic values.These trails are equipped with educational panels and enable tourists to make individual trips.The complex management of these trails has made it possible to publish guidebooks, brochures and create phone application and multimedia guides.Divided into 3 networks, geotouristic paths make a product in: Thanks to national and landscape park cooperation, geotouristic pedestrian trails will form a coherent trail network in the Sudetes Mts.

Simple geotouristic products
Most simple geotouristic products are a part of complex ones.Therefore in this part of the text, they will be only mentioned.These are product -a service, an entity and an object according to Dryglas and Miśkiewicz (2014).
Geotouristic product -a service is represented by the Karkonosze National Park geotouristic trips.Games on geotouristic pedestrian trails Nature Path Around the Cirques of the Large and Small ponds, Geotourist path in the Eastern Karkonosze, Glacial heritage of Karkonosze" will serve as terrain lesson usage.Another service product is run by The Sudecka Education Centre in Dobków (Sudecka Zagroda Edukacyjna).It includes searching for minerals: agates, amethyst and quartz in nearby quarry and geological workshops (www 11).
Geotouristic product -an entity -can be perceived in Niedźwiedzia cave, gold mine in Złoty Stok, coal mine in Nowa Ruda and uranium mine in Kowary and Kletno.The offer of these objects composes of forms of live interpretation -spoken stories, performed or broadcasted interpretation and workshops, as well as different forms of written and visual interpretation (Góralewicz-Drozdowska et al., 2013).Other products are: Centre of Ecological Education in the Karkonosze National Park (Centrum Edukacji Ekologicznej Karkonoskiego Parku Narodowego) in Szklarska Poręba, The Sudecka Education Centre in Dobków (Sudecka Zagroda Edukacyjna) and permanent ecological expositions in Vrchlabi.Earth Geological Museum in Kletno and Minerals Museum in Szklarska Poręba.They present geotouristic resources of this land.Additionally, they offer mineral workshops and rock recognition.

Summary
Year after year, the touristic supply of the Sudetes Mts.region expands.The geotouristic offer grows as well.Thanks to inventory, evaluation and recognition of the needs of geotourists, a good offer can be prepared in cooperation with the local community, creating a brand touristic product.Subsequently, products can develop into a touristic network and cluster.According to Roberts (2000), natural resources provided small touristic companies with a clustering incentive around geographic icons such as natural health spas or a national parks.Cluster research indicates that industrial players tend to concentrate their activities in certain locations, demonstrating that the tourism industry has the potential to achieve positive economic outcomes through clustering.In the European and American touristic market, there are various cluster initiatives which bring socio-economic profits.One of them is the Lake Tahoe Basin Prosperity Plan Cluster Path for a Sustainable Economy.The main aim of the touristic clusters is to build partnership between local business, edu cational and research units, local authorities, and representatives of local governments.All members including those from private and public sectors, work together for the most effective use of the tourist potential of the local destination (Melisidou et al., 2014).There is a big chance for the firstrate Sudetes subregions, with the best geotouristic values, to become a clustering initiative.This can create a cross-border brand of a geotouristic product of the Sudetes Mts, utilizing the subregions (Fig. 14).

Fig. 8 .
Fig. 8. Traitor Rock in the Ostaš Massif -one of the geosites in the Sudetic Geostrada, photo M. Rogowski • Skała Zdrajca w masywie Ostaš -jedno z geostanowisk Geostrady Sudeckiej, fot.M. Rogowski as a first class landscape with greatest visual values including relief and land cover.The geotourism infrastructure composes of two underground trails in Niedźwiedzia cave and Uranium Mine in Kletno, Earth geological museum in Kletno, educational path Karst around Niedźwiedzia cave and 4 other geological and geomorphological objects in the Polish and Czech parts.There is a Naučná stezka Králický Sněžník, Kletno -Mt.Śnieżnik, Puchaczówka Pass -Mt.Śnieżnik and Path around Stronie Śląskie (www 6).Finally, there is a geological-tourist map of Śnieżnik Massif.All of these activities contribute to developing a karst cross-border geotouristic region.Unique karst values, existing infrastructure and activity of local government of Stronie Śląskie and Staré Mĕsto pod Snĕžnikem create a friendly atmosphere in the touristic product of this region (Figs 9, 10).

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13 educational paths in Karkonosze Mts.managed by the staff of Karkonosze National Park, forest district and Karpacz, Szklarska Poręba, Piechowice towns, these paths are a part of the infrastructure of a product -a place; some of them have its own names -Giant Mountains Glacial Heritage Educational Path (Dziedzictwo Polodowcowe Karkonoszy), Geotourist path in the Eastern Karkonosze (Ścieżka geoturystyczna we wschodnich Karkonoszach), Nature Path Around the Cirques of the Large and Small ponds (Ścieżka przyrodnicza wokół kotłów Małego i Wielkiego Stawu); there are also published tourist brochures about the mentioned trails; -11 educational paths and 2 tourist trails in the Land of Extinct Volcanoes managed by the Kaczawskie Partnership and PTTK; typical geotourist trails are: Trail of Extinct Volcanoes (Szlak Wygasłych Wulkanów) and Edge Trail (Szlak Brzeżny); -9 educational paths in Stołowe Mts.managed by Stołowe National Park, partnership Broumovsko and NPR Adršpašsko-Teplické skály.