The aim of the paper was to present different functions of rural tourism and agrotourism as well as
their effects on the socio-economic progress in Płaska commune including its multifunctionality being a
basis of sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. It was found that the tourism development
on peripheral areas enables their socio-economic progress and creating new functions delivering more
incomes for farmers and rural inhabitants. The tourism development affects also positively agricultural land
use which is needed for maintenance of ecological balance, landscape protection and continuing cultural
tradition needed for regional identity of the inhabitants. Finally, it was detected that tourism function was
an important component of sustainable development of Płaska commune.
