Boosting Regional Tourism: The Role of Karlino's 'Energy' Science and Technology Center in Western Pomerania's Growth

Purpose: This article presents an attempt to determine the importance of the creation of a new tourist attraction in Western Pomerania on the development of tourism in the region. Design/Methodology/Approach: In 2022 and 2023, at the invitation of the municipality of Karlino, a case study was carried out on the rationale for the creation of the Energia Science and Technology Centre as a new tourist attraction. The paper is based on current data on tourist arrivals in the region, a site visit, documents on the concept of the Energia Science and Technology Centre and archival data on the 1980 natural gas and oil eruption. Findings: It was concluded that the creation of a new tourist attraction of a cognitive and educational nature based on an authentic historical event is fully justified. A significant number of tourists visiting the neighbouring part of the Polish Baltic coast with Karlino will certainly be interested in the new facility. A prerequisite for the success of the project is the creation of an exhibition that is attractive from the point of view of potential tourists and which refers to contemporary trends in world tourism. Practical Implications: The article stresses the significance of developing geotourism attraction as a factor of socio-economic development of regions. Originality/Value: Geotourism attractions outside upland and mountain areas are far less common. The example presented is located near the coastal zone, which is massively visited by tourists. As shown, areas in the hinterland of the coastal zone are rarely visited by tourists. Therefore, the example presented is of particular relevance in the context of attractions of a cognitive-educational nature in an area associated with 3 x S tourism.