Poland is not only the home to 2014 and 2018 world champions. It is often said that here you will find unmatched volleyball fans capable of creating an exceptional atmosphere at the games of the national team. The merging of sports and tourism proved to be a winning combination in the promotion of Poland.

Thanks to cooperation between Polish Tourism Organisation (Polska Organizacja Turystyczna - POT) and Polish Volleyball Federation the latter is now present at tourism trade shows. This year tourists at four events worldwide could take a photo with the 2018 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship cup, see how the Polish team is cheered by DJs and participate in volleyball-related competitions.  

“This year we ‘unveiled’ our volleyball offer at a number of travel trade shows. Before ITB Berlin we were present at events in Helsinki and Tel Aviv, and afterwards - in Moscow. The decision to make our stand in Berlin the most spectacular was intentional as volleyball is gaining in popularity in Germany. In addition, there are numerous Poles living in the country. The volleyball presentation is the outcome of a joint concept worked out with Polish Tourism Organisation”, says Jacek Kasprzyk, President of the Board, Polish Volleyball Federation.

The great atmosphere surrounding Polish volleyball has for many years been acknowledged by authorities of both the International and European Volleyball Confederation. As a result, an increasing number of volleyball events are held in the country by the Vistula. This year, i.a. Łódź will host the 2019 Women's European Volleyball Championship, and Gdańsk - the Intercontinental Qualifying Tournaments for 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022 Poland and the Netherlands together will stage the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship.

“Volleyball for a long time has remained one of the most popular sports in our country. Large sporting events held in superb Polish arenas draw crowds of foreign spectators that between games can see how much Poland has recently changed. I am absolutely sure that all the excitement connected with the discussed events will make volleyball fans remember Poland for many years”, says President of POT Robert Andrzejczyk.

The presence of Polish volleyball at this year’s travel trade shows has already been noticed by foreign media, which describe the atmosphere at Poland’s volleyball games as truly one-of-a-kind. It is worth mentioning that volleyball in Poland is a family-friendly and joyful sport full of positive emotions. It is no coincidence that Poland is also known as Volleyland.