Warsaw was recognised for its record growth in the tourism sector in recent years, including an increase in tourism’s contribution to the city’s GDP, modern infrastructure, attention to sustainability and the presence of global brands. According to the EBD, the city’s great strengths are also its excellent value for money, its urban development, symbolised by Europe’s fastest-growing skyline and – very importantly – its high safety level.

Foreign tourists visiting Warsaw appreciate the high standard of hotels and restaurants, the good value for money and the increasing number of culinary awards, including Michelin Guide recommendations. They also praise the city’s safety, cleanliness and increasingly environmentally-friendly public transport, making it easier to get around the capital. Warsaw impresses with its combination of history and modernity, from the historic UNESCO-listed Old Town to the impressive skyscrapers. Excellent air, rail and road accessibility is also a major advantage.

Visitors to the capital also appreciate the fact that Warsaw is conducive to an active lifestyle. The Vistula river is lively with boulevards, and on its eastern bank you will find beaches, cycle paths, flora and fauna protected by the Natura 2000 area. In summer, the capital attracts with concerts and outdoor events. Warsaw is also famous for its numerous parks and green spaces, which cover 40% of the city, making it a truly ‘green metropolis’.

Business tourism strengthens the city’s economy

The Warsaw Tourismreport shows that tourists who come to Warsaw for business purposes (especially from abroad) spend significantly more than those who come for other purposes. The meetings industry is therefore one of the key pillars of Warsaw’s tourism, and also contributes to the even occupancy of service facilities throughout the year.

The report highlights the vital importance of tourism to the city’s economy. In 2023, tourist spending reached 12.2 billion zlotys, and revenue to Warsaw’s budget amounted to 497 million zlotys, an increase of 267 per cent compared to 2019, before the pandemic. It is estimated that tourism’s contribution to the city’s GDP amounted to PLN 34 billion, accounting for around 7.3% of the capital’s gross domestic product. Tourism also generates a significant number of jobs, with over 92,000 people employed in tourism-related industries.

EBD has once again recognised the Polish capital’s potential. In 2023, Warsaw won the competition for Europe’s best tourist destination, a title that has contributed to an increase in interest in the city’s tourist assets and, in turn, an increase in the number of visitors to Warsaw from home and abroad.

Source: en.um.warszawa.pl