18 February 2009

12 Million Tourists in Warsaw
Around 3.5 million foreigners and 8.6 million Poles visited Warsaw and stayed in the capital at least one day in 2008, according to data released by City Hall.

On average, foreign tourists spent six days in Warsaw, while Poles from abroad 13.5 days.

Foreign tourists came from the following countries: Germany (12.7 percent), Spain (10.8 percent), Britain (9.8 percent), France (9.6 percent), United States (9 percent), and Italy (5.9 percent).

A study conducted by the Ipsos polling company for the City of Warsaw revealed that people come to Warsaw mainly for sightseeing; the second reason is to relax, then visit relatives and friends. One in five local tourists comes to Warsaw to shop and look at study opportunities. Foreign tourists are interested in active tourism, especially those from Spain (55 percent), Italy (49 percent), and Japan (48 percent).


Le Meridian Bristol Praised
Warsaw's Le Meridian Bristol Hotel was voted 57th best hotel worldwide by the readers of U.S. magazine Travel & Leisure. Le Meridian Bristol was the only Polish hotel to make it into the list of the best 100 hotels worldwide and was ranked 11th among the 50 best hotels in Europe.

Voting was based on the quality of facilities, standard of hospitality and service. Le Meridian Bristol beat the famous Ritz Hotel in Paris, which came in 18th in Europe and 82nd in the world.

Meanwhile, readers of luxury magazine Conde Nast Traveller listed Le Meridian Bristol as the only Polish hotel among the 710 best hotels in the world and among the top 160 in Europe. This competition was based on hotel design, service and quality of hospitality.

The hotel's characteristic Art Nouveau silhouette has graced Warsaw's skyline since it was opened in 1901 and has been a meeting place for high society, artists and international dignitaries ever since. It is located on Warsaw's fashionable Royal Route, near the Old Town, Royal Castle, National Theater and next door to the Presidential Palace.

Le Meridien Bristol Warsaw combines subtle late 19th-century elegance and 21st-century modernity and comfort.


Utrecht Tourism Workshop
The Warsaw Destination Alliance-along with TRIP, Orbis, Furnel Travel, and Janpol-represented Poland at the Central Europe Workshop organized during the Vakantiebeurs tourist fair in Utrecht in the Netherlands in January.

Forty-eight major travel agents associated with the MICE business (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conferences and Events) were represented at the Central Europe Workshop. Most of the workshop participants were interested in individual trips or wanted to obtain general information about Poland. It is hoped that the information provided will result in decisions to bring organized groups to Poland.

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