Adriana Sas
Research expert covering the Polish market
Travel and tourism in Poland - statistics & facts
Poland's tourist influx has been on the rise, especially post-EU accession. The country's accession to the European Union in 2004 opened up new tourism opportunities, leading to increased investments in infrastructure and promotion. The hotspots include the Baltic Sea coast, its sandy beaches and seaside resorts, the picturesque Masurian Lake District, the ancient Białowieża Forest, and the scenic southern mountain areas. In 2023, Poland welcomed the most tourists from Europe. Regarding tourist attractions and recreation, foreign tourists associate Poland with city breaks, national parks, lakes, museums, and historic or UNESCO sites.
International tourism is expected to recover and return to pre-pandemic levels by 2026. This recovery is a significant milestone for the industry, indicating a return to normalcy after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. By 2029, international tourism is projected to reach over 92 million, a promising sign for the industry's future.
Poles prefer vacations abroad
In 2023, Poles demonstrated their remarkable adaptability in travel behavior, with 61 percent planning a vacation for at least two days. During the year, Polish residents made 75.5 million tourist trips. In 2024, most Poles plan to spend between 2,500 and 5,000 zloty on holiday trips and activities, showing a commendable willingness to invest in their travel experiences. Europe remains the most preferred destination, with Italy, Spain, and Greece being the top choices. The most popular regions for domestic trips were Lesser Poland and Pomerania, which showcased Poles' appreciation for their own country.Germans love to visit Poland
The tourism industry is gradually recovering and recouping COVID-19 pandemic-related losses, a promising sign for the future. The situation has slowly improved since 2021. In 2023, the number of tourists accommodated in Polish hotels increased by 0.6 percent compared to the previous year, reaching over 36.2 million. The largest group visiting Poland are German tourists. However, after Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the share of Ukrainians using tourist facilities in Poland increased. International tourists spent over 33.1 million zloty in Poland in 2023.Poles' travel spending is on the rise
In 2023, Poles spent on travel, including overnight stays, more than 97 billion zloty, up nearly 13 percent from the previous year. The structure of spending has also changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Poles have been showing a growing preference for domestic travel, spending more on it than on foreign trips in recent years. This increase in domestic travel spending is a positive sign for the local tourism industry. The average expenditure on a minimum five-day domestic trip for two people was 1,360 zloty in 2023, when more than 3,100 zloty had to be spent on foreign trips.International tourism is expected to recover and return to pre-pandemic levels by 2026. This recovery is a significant milestone for the industry, indicating a return to normalcy after the disruptions caused by the pandemic. By 2029, international tourism is projected to reach over 92 million, a promising sign for the industry's future.
