Polish travelers increasingly prefer short urban breaks over skiing trips this winter.
Major Shift in Travel Patterns
Short, two- or three-day culture and entertainment-focused trips have become a permanent fixture in Poles’ calendars. According to research conducted by Omnisurv by IQS for Leonardo Hotels Polska, 77% of people use city breaks regardless of the season.
Winter City Breaks on the Rise
A real breakthrough is seen in winter. Currently, nearly half of Poles (49%) choose to take a short trip during this period. The trend leaders are people aged 25-34 – in this group, as many as 63% of respondents opt for intensive, urban getaways.
Hotel Industry Observations
Both Krakow and Warsaw have recorded a significant increase in winter reservations compared to the previous season. A large part of this result comes from short, multi-day city breaks, for which so-called young adults are increasingly deciding. These people travel in pairs, but also in groups of friends or with children – says Edyta Niedoba, cluster Poland revenue manager at Leonardo Hotels.
Why Cities Over Mountains?
Low temperatures have stopped being an obstacle and have become an asset. As many as 42% of respondents indicated that it is precisely the winter atmosphere of metropolises that attracts them to cities. A quarter of the surveyed people enjoy the opportunity to sightsee without tiring heat.
Shopping Motivations
That’s not all. 23% of those surveyed plan a trip with the thought of New Year’s sales in shopping malls. As you can see, winter in the city has ceased to be just an alternative – for many Poles it has become the first choice, combining savings with the comfort of sightseeing.
Top Winter City Destinations
The shift of budget from expensive ski trips to cheaper city breaks has caused specific Polish cities to be besieged. Popular cities also include Warsaw (24%) and Toruń (23%). Poznań was chosen by 21% of those surveyed.
