Poland’s meeting sector is on a growth path, becoming an increasingly important part of one of the fastest and most consistently growing economies in the world. Here are some facts that clearly indicate that the industry in Poland is destined to flourish.
Fast growing
The meetings industry in Poland is one of the fastest-growing in Europe, with an expected value of over $4,5 billion in 2023. Experts currently estimate its potential at up to 3-4%. GDP. Despite the difficulties which we all know about the sector is growing, as evidenced by the hundreds of thousands of participants in the business events hosted in the country.
Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław and Poznań all have the facilities, infrastructure and qualified staff to host the conferences and meetings of varying sizes and formats. Notably, Kraków welcomed over 1.5 million attendees during World Youth Days in 2016. Poland also played host to the COP 24 climate summit in 2018, drawing over 20,000 delegates. And this year, Lesser Poland hosted 3rd European Games with almost 6,500 best athletes from across Europe.
Meanwhile, the NATO summit held in Warsaw in 2016 served as a testament to Poland’s commitment to upholding the most stringent safety standards and providing premium accommodations for VIP participants. Poland remains dedicated to continuous innovation and the adjustment of its offerings to meet evolving guest requirements. Hospitality holds a paramount place in the Polish identity, reflecting their unwavering commitment to ensuring a warm and welcoming experience for all visitors.
Not only numbers
No wonder that in Poland there is still alive a saying at least a thousand years old – “gość w dom, Bóg w dom” which could be translated into “guest in home means God at home”. Centuries later, Poland’s English-speaking population holds a reputation for exceptional hospitality. Visitors do not have to worry about a thing – businesses and subcontractors in Poland often go the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction.
The geographical location makes Poland one of the most accessible places in the region in terms of transportation. Picturesque landscapes and cultural richness provide opportunities for designing unique, sustainable travel experiences that capture the essence of the country while adhering to budgetary constraints.
Poland’s travel industry is evolving in line with shifting industry dynamics, emphasizing factors such as cost-effectiveness, the integration of business travel with meetings and congresses, and a commitment to sustainability. The country is also well-positioned to capitalize on the hybrid and virtual events trend, as it has a number of world-class event venues that can accommodate those events, and it has a strong ICT sector.
Inexpensive yet brilliant
As the demand for sustainable events is growing, the country with its eco-friendly event venues and hotels is becoming a more and more desirable destination for meetings or congresses organizers who are looking to reduce their environmental impact. In fact, Poles never throw away things! Decades of scarcity of goods caused by the inefficient socialist economy have made them a zero-waste nation before it was even trendy, but they are also always looking for creative solutions.
Good budget management and reasonable prices are other features that make Poland an attractive destination for meetings industry organizers. According to the CVENT Travel Manager Report 2023, rising costs are the primary concern for travel managers, with 65% of decision-makers citing cost escalation as their top consideration. As they are looking for creative strategies to optimize budgets without compromising on quality, Poland is becoming a top choice.
This is confirmed by the great reception of ICCA Congress 2022 hosted by Kraków, which moved up 11 positions to 32nd place on UIA ranking, earning spot alongside Warsaw and Gdańsk. Poland itself made a significant stride in UIA ranking too – climbing to the 20th spot globally in 2023. Three-position rise is a testament to its growing influence in the international meetings and events industry. These reflect Poland’s remarkable transformation and position it as one of best destinations.
More information on Poland as a conference destination on Meetings Poland Travel