International tourist arrivals in Poland have been declining for five years but the Warsaw-based Institute of Tourism forecasts that…
International tourist arrivals in Poland have been declining for five years but the Warsaw-based Institute of Tourism forecasts that some markets will begin to pick up in 2003 or 2004. Higher-spending west European countries will generate more visitors, and Eastern countries fewer. By 2007, the volume of tourist arrivals should have almost regained 2001 levels, with 14.8 million tourist arrivals forecast.
The Institute estimates that arrivals from Germany – Poland`s major market in terms of spending – will start to pick up this year, although visits from its eastern neighbours will not bottom out until 2004. Tourist arrivals from other international countries should also pick up a little this year and will grow steadily over the next four years. By 2007, Poland should receive a total of 14.8 million tourist arrivals.
City tourism is the major form of leisure travel, representing over 60 per cent of tourist arrivals. But stays in the various regions of Poland should increase as the range of tourism products grows and facilities improve.
There will be more business and leisure trips, says the Institute, and fewer VFR (visiting friends and/or relatives) and shopping trips, with a corresponding change in source markets. The Institute forecasts 3.8 million leisure trips to Poland for 2004 rising to 4.7 million in 2007. Business visitors will also grow to the same levels, say the Institute.
The tourist arrivals count (ie visitors spending at least one night in Poland) declined by 12 per cent in 2001, down from 17.4 million in 2000 to 15.3 million. Preliminary figures for 2002 point to a further 5.3 per cent decline.
The downward trend in tourist arrivals began in 1998, but the decrease in 2001 was larger than previous years – 2000`s count was down just 3 per cent in on 1999.
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