It will not be a temporary fashion. Poland is very keen on these tourists

During this year’s ITB International Tourist Exchange in Berlin, Poland presented its greatest qualities. Our stand with an area of ​​500 sq. In an interview with “Wprost”, the representative revealed what Poland’s promotion abroad will look like in the coming years and what tourists we want to attract to our country.

Poland wants to promote culinary tourism

Not homely food, but exquisite dishes from the Michelin guide restaurants reigned this year at the Polish position of the famous Berlin fair. Chefs offered them invited guests and tourists visiting the stand with them. In the interior of the pavilion there were also accents such as the baskets of green apples, a robot transmitting the most important information about Poland, and even mim in Polish colors.

– We were based on this idea last year. We see that culinary tourism is increasingly important. Foreign tourists come to Poland, who follow the kitchen trails, are looking for new culinary sensations. It is a branch of tourism that is developing dynamically and is more and more promising. Poland also has a lot to say in this matter – says Agnieszka Walavender – director of the Marketing and Communication Department of the Polish Tourist Organization, responsible for preparing Poland’s presentation for the fair.

– We have not only good food in many regions, but above all healthy food. Our agritourism is doing well. Mountains, Kaszuby, Mazowsze and Podlasie – everywhere we will find a wealth of traditional dishes. It is best to reach the heart of tourists through food.

When asked whether focusing on the promotion of Fusion is an element of a broader rebranding strategy of our country on the international arena, which so far some tourists could be associated rather as a cheap direction, with a homely festive climate and simple food, Agnieszka Walavender answered the affirmative. – To this end, the Polish Tourist Organization initiated a project in cooperation with Michelin. Of course, we can’t compete with countries that have several dozen restaurants with stars, but you have to start with something. We currently have six such premises, as well as one restaurant with a green star for a balanced kitchen. We can also boast of a number of restaurants in the Michelin guide distinguished in various categories, such as: Bib Gourmand, in which we are a leader in Central and Eastern Europe-he explains.

Will such a strategy change the tourist profile that visits Poland? However, Walavender has doubts. – This will not completely change the type of tourist, but certainly the kitchen is very important, even for people who come to us for a completely different purpose. Tourists want to eat well, they want to discover new flavors for them. The level of gastronomy must be on a par with other attractions. For years, in research conducted by sweat, the culinary has occupied the 3rd place among the magnets of the strongest attracting tourists – he says in an interview with “Wprost”.

These regions need an additional promotion

Fantastic kitchen is not always able to attract tourists when problems arise along the way. – In connection with the geographical conditions related to the situation behind the eastern border of Podlasie, it requires additional promotion. This tourist paradise of Slow Tourism is unfortunately forgotten by most tourists. Lower Silesia and Opole, affected by the effects of floods, also face problems in this sphere – believes the director from the Polish Tourist Organization. Help can bring a system of subsidies for tourists.

There will be more and more of these tourists in Poland

The German market, where the fair was held, is a very important Polish business partner. It is from behind the Odra that many tourists visiting Poland also come from. Pot is also seen in other countries. – Tourists from the Persian Gulf are interested in us. Even if it is a temporary fashionwe are working on making Poland permanently entered the list of attractive tourist destinations. We appreciate that our directions are chosen by them more and more often and we will try to maintain this interest in as long as possible. Particularly based on cooperation with the airlines that open their connections to Poland – says Walavender. Nature attracts such tourists to our country. This is a type of tourist who comes to Poland family and needs to have an offer tailored to his needs, and most pays attention to things that he does not see every day at home. – When he sees snow or rain, he immediately records and shares these relationships in the media of communities. Local folklore is an amazing attraction for him – he adds.

Promotion of our country abroad: What next?

How is the future of Poland to paint at the Berlin fair? Ideas have already appeared in sweat for what can be promoted in the coming years.

We will definitely want to go beyond urban tourism. Tourists love City-Breaki, and we have a really high level of hotel and gastronomic offer in cities, but we also want to show Poland less known and other than popular destinations, which are difficult to compete with. We will focus on green tourism, tourism for Silvers and Slow tourism. We want to present Poland as modern, open, green and safe. As for the location itself, this year we wanted to try something new, but in the future we will return to the hall, where we will have France or Spain next to each other. I will immodestly say that here in the region of Central and Eastern Europe we stand out-both the volume of the position and the interest of visitors. However, we want to aspire and show that Poland is really worth visiting and can compete with the best.

Changes are also being prepared in the appearance of the position that can undergo a complete metamorphosis in two years. “We want to analyze in which direction the industry goes and how trends are shaped, so as not to be behind, but rather in the avant -garde (…) you can see that the countries are opening to customers, invite you to the inside, they do not enclose. The trend has long been a long Be visible, but not in the style of “Byzantium” – reveals sweat.

The International Tourist Exchange in Berlin is one of the most important moments of the year to present your attractions to a wider audience. Unfortunately, the annual Pandemic party was shortened. Now, in place of the five -day event, there are only three days left, without a weekend. Tourists who visited the fairs on Saturdays and Sunday in previous years resign from buying tickets. – I have a comparison with the fair in Madrid, which are longer and also directed to an individual client. I think this is added value. The B2B fair differs significantly in the offer from the B2C fair. If the organizers make decisions to extend them, I can guarantee that we are ready for it today – declares Agnieszka Walavender.