Nature therapy and sustainable rural tourism development. A planning concept for Wola Komborska

Motives: The article addresses the need for sustainable tourism development in rural areas with high natural value. With increasing interest in health and wellness tourism, nature-based therapies such as forest therapy, apitherapy, phytotherapy, hippotherapy, and terrain therapy offer opportunities to enhance both the attractiveness of rural destinations and the well-being of tourists. There is a growing necessity to integrate the therapeutic uses of nature with tourism infrastructure while preserving environmental integrity. Aim: To develop a spatial concept for local tourism based on the principles of sustainable development and therapeutic interaction with nature, using the village of Wola Komborska as a case study. The research aims to demonstrate how nature therapy can be integrated into rural tourism to support both human well-being and the long-term attractiveness of natural areas. Results: The study proposes a spatial tourism development concept based on GIS analysis and field assessment to the natural conditions of Wola Komborska, including proposed infrastructure such as walking paths, viewpoints, and small-scale services. It emphasizes the therapeutic potential of the local landscape, microclimate, vegetation, and animals, proposing their sustainable use in health-promoting tourism forms such as agritourism and qualified tourism. The findings underline the importance of preserving natural resources to ensure the longevity and sustainability of rural tourism.