Benefits and threats related to the functioning of Polish tourist companies against the background of the liberalisation of the services market

The liberalisation of the services market, which affects also tourist services, aims at the transformation of the economic structure, increasing economic efficiency and economic development. The tourism sector of economic activity has the potential to stimulate economic growth and increase employment in the EU simultaneously contributing to the economic and social development and integration. The objective of this article is to present the findings of the quantitative research related to the discussed issue, i.e. the benefits and threats related to the functioning of Polish tourist businesses in the European Union markets in the era of liberalization of the services market. In the article the authors have used source literature, secondary data as well as the findings of a study carried out as part of a research project financed by the National Science Centre (NCN) 2015/17/B/HS4/02750 “Liberalization of the services market in the EU as a factor increasing the innovativeness and competitiveness of Polish service companies”.