Polish Tourism Organisation actively participated in Ukraine International Travel Market (UITM) in Kyiv, where it placed particular emphasis on promoting Southern Poland and its winter offer, increasingly popular among Ukrainian tourists.

The autumn season of tourist trade shows in Kyiv is now in full bloom. Poland’s recent successful presentation at a prominent medical trade fair is now followed by a national stand arranged at Ukraine International Travel Market. As a rule, Polish exhibitors attend the exhibition to present the winter offer that has been enjoying great popularity in Ukraine for some years now. New Year’s Eve and Christmas holidays spent in Poland became a regular feature of wintertime family trips abroad. The Beskidy Mountains have recently begun effectively competing with Zakopane, particularly after modernising its ski lifts and expanding the hotel offer. The prize is certainly worth fighting for as the latest accommodation occupancy figures rank Ukrainian tourists third as regards the number of guests and second, after their German counterparts, in the category of number of nights spent.

The trade show attracted delegates of the Euroregion of the Beskidy Mountains, the city of Bielsko-Biała, the Marshal Office of the Śląskie Region, and the city of Tarnowskie Góry. Representatives of the Historic Silver Mine in Tarnowskie Góry showcased their most popular venue included on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the European Route of Industrial Heritage (ERIH), proving that after fun ski antics a trip to Śląsk (Silesia) can offer truly noteworthy and beneficial activities.  

The city of Świdnica in Dolny Śląsk (Lower Silesia), exceptionally popular among Ukrainian tourists due to the above-average number of residents hailing from the country, came up with a one-of-a-kind method of promotion. According to an observation shared by representatives of the city council, the fact that many Ukrainians work in Świdnica and neighbouring area has a considerable impact on the number of Ukrainian tourists visiting the city. For guests from Świdnica, Polish Tourism Organisation International Office staged a meeting with journalists held as part of a series of presentations arranged by the Club of Enthusiasts of Poland. Despite numerous other events competing for attention, a standard feature of international trade shows, the discussed meeting still managed to attract close to 30 participants.

To the surprise of guests, many journalists boasted earlier contacts with the city in question, for example during fam trips staged by the Kyiv-based POT International Office and the Tourist Organisation of Dolny Śląsk (Lower Silesia).

The Polish stand was highly popular with concrete inquiries asked during the three-day event and evidence of Poland’s unflagging popularity beyond the eastern border.