The already eleventh “Partnership in Tourism” Tourist Forum wrapped up in Kharkiv on Sunday. Polish Tourism Organisation has been involved in the event ever since its first edition.

While the meeting’s formula evolved over the years, it remains a platform for sharing experiences, promoting accomplishments and tourist assets of Kharkiv’s twin towns. As a proof of the Ukrainian city’s above-average activity in the field of international relations, each year the event draws guests from all over the world - from China through Turkey, Greece, Slovakia, Israel to Georgia. There is also no shortage of delegates from Poland, with representatives of Warsaw, Częstochowa and Lublin regularly participating in meetings.

This year the Kharkiv-based Consulate General of the Republic of Poland prepared an exceptional surprise. An exhibition of photograms dedicated to the 450th anniversary of the signing of the Union of Lublin was arranged next to the conference hall entrance. In addition, the sessions also featured information booths.

Representatives of the Consulate General in Kharkiv and the Polish Tourism Organisation International Office in Kiev took part in a panel centred on Smart Tourism. Consul Jan Zdanowski and Dr Sergiy Sieriakov, Head of the Centre of Research and Promotion of Polish Legacy in the Region of Slobozhanshchyna unveiled the Polish Kharkiv mobile application. Showcasing the Polish heritage in Kharkiv, the app was co-funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and enables tourists visiting the city to follow the trail of its Polish past and residents. Moreover, Włodzimierz Szczurek, Head of POT’s Kiev-based International Office launched an application developed by Acora Events of Łódź, designed to explore 12 Polish cities in a highly intriguing and unconventional manner.

Kharkiv now has regular flights with Warsaw, Gdańsk and Poznań, with new connections with Kraków and Katowice announced for the near future.