Non-marginal parameters of marginal areas

Marginality is viewed as a complex phenomenon resulting from specific natur al, economic as well as socio-cultural features of individual territories. Diverting marginality into comparative advantage by utilizing "non-marginal " features of marginal territories seems to be one of promising ways how to overcome it. Sumava Mts, territory highly attractive for tourists and holi day makers, was chosen as a model area for our research. The main issue add ressed in this paper is twofold. The first one is a question whether or not , or to what extent there is a potential niche of services development rela ted to leisure time activities in the model territory. The other one is the n the assessment of circumstances under which it is likely to expect that t he potential niche can be realised.