Polish Tourism Organisation International Office in New York, Małopolska Tourist Organisation and Kraków Airport became involved in a number of joint promotional undertakings in Chicago. 

Arranged by POT’s International Office in New York, Małopolska Tourist Organisation, Kraków Airport and the Polish American company Ingressus, a presentation promoting Poland’s incoming tourism was hosted by Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago in the evening on 6 February. The Polish delegation included, i.a. Grzegorz Biedroń, President of Małopolska Tourist Organisation, Radosław Włoszek, CEO of Kraków Airport, Paweł Galiak, Director of Aviation and Commercial Services with Kraków Airport, Iwona Gibas, Vice-President of the Sejmik of the Małopolska Voivodeship, and Karolina Jawor, Director of the Małopolska Tourist Information System with Małopolska Tourist Organisation. Representatives of media, travel industry and Polish American organisations learnt more about the latest tourist products and a network of convenient airline routes.

Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna - POT) conducted the “Visit Poland in 2020” presentation spotlighting the reasons that make Poland worth visiting this year. Magdalena Żelazowska, Head of POT’s International Office in New York, discussed, i.a. the forthcoming Chopin Competition, the planned launches of brand-new highlights, and the international distinctions acknowledging Poland, such as Kraków being picked as one of New York Times’ 2020 prestigious ‘Places to Go’. The evening was enhanced by music of Polish composers, Fryderyk Chopin and Karol Szymanowski, performed by Dr. Jarosław Gołembiowski. In addition, foods and drinks prepared by the Polish Lutnia restaurant were served for all guests.

On the next day, travel industry and Polish American community representatives took part in a dinner staged by Kraków Airport. Travel and Adventure Show in Chicago was held on 8-9 February. Arranged by Małopolska Tourist Organisation, POT’s International Office in New York, Kraków Airport and Ingressus, the Polish stand was visited by numerous potential tourists and industry and media representatives. Inquiries dealt with, i.a. the potential impact of Poland joining the U.S. visa waiver programme on the tourism flow between the two destinations, key tourist highlights, the sightseeing offer of major Polish cities, local transportation, cuisine, active tourism options, as well as the SPA offer. Searching for roots was an important subject matter, as more than 10 million U.S. residents are of Polish descent, with the area of Chicago distinguished by one of the world’s largest Polish immigrant communities. The stand was accompanied by an outdoor promotion of the region of Małopolska in the vicinity of the trade show premises.

Travel and Adventure Show events are among the leading U.S. travel-themed meetings. Each year they are held in different U.S. cities, with every event attracting several hundred exhibitors and a few dozen thousand visitors, including tourists and media and travel industry representatives.