Abstract:
Financial shortfalls are typical for protected areas (PA) in many countries. The data collected in the mid-90s of the twentieth century indicate that globally there is a deficit in the amount of $ 2.3 billion for efficient protection of PA. Therefore, there is a growing interest in accounting for PA costs and a need to increase the efficiency of using resources. The article described Polish National Parks (NP) and presented the analysis of efficiency of using their resources with DEA method. The research was conducted in the area of tourist and scientific activity, which, along with the protection of biodiversity is the essence of NP.