Budget airlines, EU membership and low prices result in tourism boom

"The result is even better than that of our southern neighbors, and in the past it was them who were the tourist magnets of the region," said Krzysztof Łopaciński, director of the Institute. The increase is mainly the merit of budget airlines, as well as competitive prices in Polish shops and markets. The number of foreigners who visited Poland this year will amount to 64.5 million, which is 4% more than in the previous year. The Institute estimates that foreign tourists will spend some $3.1 billion and foreign clients of Polish shops another $3 billion in the whole 2005, while in 2004 the numbers were $2.9 billion each. Poland is gradually becoming more popular especially among visitors from America, Canada and Asia. Foreigners believe that since Poland joined the EU it became more safe and visitors-friendly. (Rzeczpospolita, p. B1) A.F.