Domestic Travel Boosts Poland’s Economic Recovery in Tourism

Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to surpass pre-pandemic economic levels by 2025, driven by strong domestic travel demand.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Poland’s travel and tourism sector is on a trajectory to achieve significant economic milestones by 2025. The sector is expected to contribute PLN 165.5 billion to the national economy this year, accounting for 4.4% of the GDP. This marks a 5.9% increase over the previous peak in 2019, setting a new record for the sector’s economic impact.

Domestic Visitor Spending

The sector’s employment is also projected to rise, supporting 901,100 jobs, which surpasses the employment levels of 2019. Domestic visitor spending is forecast to reach PLN 44.9 billion, a 10.8% increase over 2019, indicating robust local travel demand.

International Visitor Spending

Despite the positive trends in domestic travel, international visitor spending is expected to remain 2.8% below 2019 levels, reaching PLN 76.9 billion. This suggests a need for strategies to enhance inbound tourism and competitiveness in attracting international travelers.

Review of 2024 Performance

In 2024, Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed PLN 144.5 billion to GDP, representing 4% of the economy. Although this was 7.5% below the 2019 peak, it showed signs of recovery. Employment in the sector reached 884,400 jobs, a 2.7% increase over 2019 levels.

Domestic visitor spending in 2024 was PLN 42.8 billion, a 5.6% increase from 2019. However, international visitor spending remained 20.1% below 2019 levels at PLN 63.1 billion, despite year-on-year improvements.

Future Projections for 2035

Looking ahead to 2035, the WTTC forecasts that Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector could contribute PLN 221.8 billion to GDP, accounting for 4.8% of the national economy. Employment is expected to exceed 987,300 jobs, creating more than 86,000 new roles over the next decade.

Domestic visitor spending is projected to rise to PLN 57.7 billion, while international spending could grow to PLN 107.9 billion. This growth is anticipated to narrow the gap with historic peaks and unlock new economic value.

European Union Context

In 2024, the EU’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed nearly €1.8 trillion to the region’s GDP, representing over 10% of the Bloc’s economy and exceeding 2019 levels by almost 6%. Employment in the sector grew by 4.7% year-on-year, reaching 24.6 million jobs, which accounts for one in nine jobs across the region.

By the end of 2025, the WTTC forecasts that the EU Travel & Tourism sector will reach nearly €1.9 trillion, representing 10.5% of the EU economy. Employment linked to the sector is estimated to total 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional total.

Poland’s Travel & Tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery and growth, with domestic travel playing a crucial role in its economic resurgence. Continued investment in infrastructure and marketing is essential to fully realize the sector’s potential and enhance its contribution to the national economy.