The planned May 1st rollout of Zakopane’s tourist card, offering discounts on attractions, is facing criticism due to a lack of information for businesses and visitors.
Tourist Card Launch Faces Chaos in Zakopane
The city of Zakopane is preparing to launch a tourist card on May 1st, intended to provide visitors with discounts on local attractions. However, businesses report they lack the necessary information to implement the system, and some councilors have also raised concerns about the project’s preparedness.
Councilors Voice Concerns Over Lack of Information
During a recent city council session, several councilors highlighted the absence of practical details regarding the card’s operation. Businesses are unsure how to activate the card or what benefits it will offer to tourists.
Councilor Paweł Strączek stated that no application or website has been made available, and businesses are unaware of partner details, discount specifics, or how the system will function. He expressed concern about fielding questions from the public regarding card access.
Mayor Announces Training for Businesses
Zakopane Mayor Łukasz Filipowicz announced a series of training sessions to provide businesses with the necessary details. An online meeting is scheduled for April 22nd to present the project’s specifics, with further training sessions planned.
Communication Breakdown Hinders Implementation
Karol Wagner of the Tatra Chamber of Commerce pointed to communication issues as a key problem, emphasizing the need to train thousands of individuals. He admitted to participating in the card’s development but remains unclear on the final project details, suggesting a communication gap between the city and businesses.
Card Activation Process Outlined
Instructions for obtaining the card, published on the city’s website, indicate that tourists will receive a unique code via email after registering at their accommodation and paying the local tourist tax. This code will be used to activate the card via a portal or mobile app, generating a QR code.
Industry Representatives Highlight Missing Tools
Tourism industry representatives and city councilors note the current lack of tools for data entry and card activation, potentially hindering the program’s launch.
Card to Cover Over 100 Attractions
The city reports the card will encompass over 100 tourist, cultural, and recreational attractions, offering discounts on tickets, food services, and access to city information and transportation.
