Abstract Following in the footsteps of one’s favourite literary characters has become a significant part of tourism. It remains unknown, however, how many readers decide to visit the places described in a book, or what factors determine their decision to do so. This issue was analysed using the example of Łódź, the third largest city in Poland, which struggles with a negative image. In contrast to the research on literary tourism conducted so far, a questionnaire was completed by readers and not by tourists visiting the places described. The readers remembered many real locations and had become familiar with the city’s topography. Some declared their reluctance to accept its stereotypically ‘bad’ image, while others were fascinated with its ‘unique atmosphere’. To many the city has become more familiar and a significant number of readers have changed their perception of it as a result. By means of linear modelling, several factors were established which encouraged readers to visit the city for tourism purposes. These factors included the size of the reader’s home location, changes of opinion, and the first impression the book made. This research project clearly points to the significant role of the novel in creating images of the places it depicts.

中文翻译：

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小说在塑造城市形象中的作用及其作为旅游胜地的选择：罗兹（caseódź）案

摘要追随自己喜欢的文学人物的足迹已成为旅游业的重要组成部分。但是，仍然有多少读者决定参观一本书中描述的地方，或者是哪些因素决定了他们这样做的决定，这一点仍然未知。我们以波兰第三大城市罗兹（exampleódź）为例，对这个问题进行了分析，而后者一直在与负面形象作斗争。与迄今为止进行的有关文学旅游的研究相反，调查问卷是由读者而不是访问所述地点的游客填写的。读者记得许多真实的地点，并已熟悉城市的地形。一些人宣称他们不愿接受其刻板印象的“坏”形象，而另一些人则对其“独特的氛围”着迷。对于许多城市来说，它已经变得越来越熟悉，因此，大量读者改变了对这座城市的看法。通过线性建模，建立了几个因素来鼓励读者访问该城市进行旅游。这些因素包括读者所在地的大小，观点的变化以及书的第一印象。该研究项目明确指出了小说在创作所描绘地点的图像中的重要作用。