How can something good turn into something bad or less good? How can Poland, a country of around 38 million people that has hosted around 1.5 million Ukrainian refugees, be negatively affected by the generosity of its people and the altruism shown in welcoming those who fled the war?
“This image of generosity and proximity to Ukraine ends up creating the idea that we are an insecure country”, explains Agata Witoslawska, director of tourism operations from Poland to the Iberian Peninsula. He confirms that this is not true. Poland is a safe destination as it is a member of the European Union and NATO. He confirms that they offer the same guarantees as Portugal.
To change this simplified picture, those responsible for tourism in the country decided to return to the Lisbon Tourism Exchange, which started on Wednesday, March 1, at FIL, and will last until Thursday, next Sunday. Reinforcing the message that a human gesture does not define that territory and should not impede its tourist potential.
It was mainly the Germans, Scandinavians and English who persecuted the country. But a signal made recently by the Spaniards makes Agata think that the same movement could happen with the Portuguese.
In addition, these two cities are the country’s great calling card, with emphasis on Warsaw, considered European Destination 2023. Although Agata is contemporary, “Poland is the seventh or eighth option for those who want a short vacation in Europe”.
In addition to the diversity of the landscape, there is another great attraction, he says: “the way we merge the black heritage of the past (referring to the signs of the Second World War) with the colors of the future”. Furthermore, in the current economic context of painful inflation, “the fact that we offer quality at a reasonable price” is mandatory.
The impact of the Erasmus Program has also helped to attract tourists to the country, as Agata explains that “the parents and grandparents of the young people who study there end up visiting and realizing that they can stay at good prices”.
“In 2021, the Spanish market is the most important for the post-pandemic recovery of tourists,” she says. “And so we are sure that the Portuguese will also be surprised to discover this destination.”
It was no coincidence that they decided to create a website in Portuguese to brighten up the shop window. It can be consulted here.
Gone are the golden days when Portuguese tourists sought these places aboard the Polish Pope John Paul II. Today, TAP offers daily direct flights (in high season) to Warsaw and there are also two low-cost airline routes to Krakow and Warsaw (Ryanair and Wizz Air).
Moreover, these two cities are the country’s major calling card, especially Warsaw, which is considered European Destination 2023. Although Agata is a contemporary, “Poland is the seventh or eighth choice for those who want to have a short vacation in Europe.”
In addition to the diversity of the landscape, there is another great attraction, he asserts: “the way we merge the black heritage of the past (referring to the signs of World War II) with the colors of the future.” In addition, in today’s economic context of painful inflation, “the fact that we offer quality at a reasonable price” is a must.
The impact of the Erasmus Program has also helped attract tourists to the country, as Agata explains that “parents and grandparents of young people who study there end up visiting and realizing that they can stay at good prices.”
