This article aims to evaluate the level of tourism potential for the communities located in the eastern border region of the Lubelskie Voivodeship in Poland. The analysis was based on a three factor model consisting of separate interrelated components of tourism potential i.e. tourist attractiveness, tourist function and tourist traffic. Using a multidimensional comparative analysis, a Tourist Attractiveness Index, Tourist Function Index and Tourist Traffic Index were composed. This enabled to identify the territorial units for which rural tourism can become a real factor stimulating socio-economic development. It appears that rural tourism can be perceived as a chance for improving the local economy for the areas located in the northern part of the borderland, whereas for communities situated in the southern part, it is not a significant issue.